On the Job 

A new Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) laboratory in Springfield opened on May 23 to provide drug testing services for law enforcement agencies in Clark County and beyond.

On the eve of the arrival of the first pieces of evidence, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine unveiled the lab, which was created through a partnership among the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the city of Springfield, and Clark County.

“Fighting the drug epidemic has been, and continues to be, one of the top priorities of the Attorney General’s Office,” DeWine said. “This lab will be a tool in this fight.”

The new lab will be staffed with two BCI drug chemistry scientists who will focus on testing all types of drugs. BCI will also continue to operate drug chemistry units at its three other crime laboratories in London, Richfield, and Bowling Green. In 2016, BCI scientists statewide reported 5,768 cases involving heroin, 2,396 involving fentanyl, and 214 involving carfentanil.

The new lab came about after Springfield officials approached the Attorney General’s Office with a proposal to turn their crime laboratory, which was facing the retirement of its scientist, into a drug-testing facility.

“I thought it was a great idea; and BCI thought it was a great idea,” DeWine said. “We worked with the city and county leaders to make this new lab a reality.”

Clark County remodeled the space and added an evidence vault and a security system. Springfield purchased new drug chemistry instruments and upgraded the computers and other technology.

Springfield Police Chief Stephen Moody said the lab will make it possible to have more immediate test results, place scientists in a convenient location in case they are needed in court, and serve as a source of information on drug trends, which can be shared with law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighters, and local medical professionals.