FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRIME LABS AGREE TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY OF SERVICES IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY SITUATION

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., May 9, 2003 – The Missouri Association of Crime Laboratory Directors (MACLD), has entered into an agreement to ensure the continuity of crime laboratory services throughout the state in the event of an emergency situation caused by a terrorist act, mass disaster or other event that could have a devastating impact on local, regional or state crime laboratories.

MACLD consists of the directors of Missouri’s state, regional, county and city crime laboratories.

This multi-agency agreement ensures that Missouri’s crime laboratories will provide critical services to the law enforcement community of Missouri by pooling resources from unaffected laboratories during an emergency situation.

Dr. Robert Briner, director of the SEMO Regional Crime Laboratory at Southeast Missouri State University, said, “In case of an emergency situation and one lab in the state is out of commission, the other labs would try to help out. This shows that everyone is working towards a common goal.”

In addition to the SEMO Regional Crime Lab, other labs in the state are in Independence, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Kirksville, Joplin, Kansas City, St. Louis City, and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Briner said the agreement took effect April 24.