Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences opens new lab in Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WHNT ) — The Huntsville Regional Laboratory and Medical Facility works with law enforcement agencies across 22 North Alabama counties, testing evidence for drug, DNA and violent crime cases.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences director said the job was too big for the old facility.

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"We had long outgrown our capacity there," Alabama Department of Forensic Science Director Angelo Della Manna said.

In 2020, the state legislature approved spending $11 million to construct a lab that is twice the size of Huntsville's previous building that was built in the 1960s.

"The skills of Alabama's forensic staff have been put to work in performing timely expert analysis," Gov. Kay Ivey said.

"The volume of work they're having to deal with, unfortunately, is increasing year by year," Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard said.

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Broussard said the information that comes from forensic testing is a crucial part of the criminal justice system.

"Folks can have their account of this, opinions can vary. And all of a sudden, science comes through the courtroom doors, and it's a wonderful thing. Whether it shows the guilt of that person or if it exonerates," Broussard said.

Criminal cases touch many lives.

"This facility will allow us to deliver our test results in a more timely manner, thereby helping not just the families of loved ones who have been lost and become victims of violent crime, but also those who have been falsely accused. They'll get their test results in a more timely manner and allow the justice system to proceed," Manna said.

With the technology at the new facility, staff will be able to complete the testing of evidence, like DNA, in about 90 days.