- New Facility: The Tri-County Biological Science Center in North Charleston, S.C., opened Monday, serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.
- Capabilities: Analyzes DNA from crime scenes (e.g., a drop of blood on a broken window) and tests seized drugs for controlled substances.
- Process: Evidence flows from secure intake to lab analysis, data review, and reports—all under one roof for efficiency.
Major Improvements
The lab addresses backlogs from sending samples to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) lab in Columbia, which handles all 46 counties.
- Turnaround Time: Targets 60-90 days, prioritized by crime date and severity.
- Impact: Speeds up investigations amid South Carolina’s growing population, reducing delays for law enforcement and victims.
North Charleston Councilman Joe Boykin called it “transformative for crime victims,” while Forensic Lab Director Thomas Van Koughnett emphasized streamlined workflows from intake to reporting.
This directly benefits the tri-county area’s public safety, aligning with rising demands in regions like yours around Charleston. Have you followed other local forensic or crime lab developments?
