Crime lab frees up working space
Grants allow office to renovate additional classrooms
Nate Billings
Issue date: 9/24/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Since 1972, the Missouri Southern crime lab has been updated only a few times.
Once was six years ago, when the lab gained some rooms from two adjoining classrooms.
Two grants totaling $150,000 allowed the crime lab to renovate storage areas and another classroom for its use.
The classroom will be made into offices for each of the crime lab workers and a secretary.
There will also be room for a new set of cabinets for reports, which go back to when the lab was first opened. A new system computer will also be put in place for an internal case file search. A video center will also be put into the new space for press releases and possible video training.
However, Dr. Phillip Whittle, crime lab director, said one of the most important things to come from the grant is the extra space.
"We had just completely saturated the space we had," he said. "We've added about 50 percent more space."
Others in the lab agree.
"It's desperately needed," said Mike Davis, criminalist in the Crime Lab. "It (the boxes and files) doesn't look as crowded as it was before it was moved."
Overall, though the renovations have not completely taken place, the new space totals 4,000 square feet and the grants will allow the lab to update some of its older equipment.
"We have computers HP won't even service anymore," Davis said.
Whittle also said the space will allow the lab to organize smaller work areas into specific areas for analysis.
"We try to maintain a full-service lab," Davis said.
This reorganizing will shorten the turnaround time for work the lab does for area criminal justice centers.
"We serve about 50 different criminal justice agencies," Whittle said. "Seventy percent of it is drug analysis."
Whittle said the agencies are an important part of the work.
"Sixty percent of the funds come from the agencies we serve," he said.
The Joplin Police Department, however, has decided not to use the lab because of budget issues.
"Joplin was just over 25 percent of the budget," Whittle said.
He said there were no hard feelings over the decision.
"We all have that (budget) problem," Whittle said.
The opinions are not negative. Davis said the University has been a help too.
"It's nice to know the University is behind us 100 percent," Davis said.
"I think it's (the grant) a tribute to the work Dr. Whittle has done that University has shown that much confidence in him and his work."
Once was six years ago, when the lab gained some rooms from two adjoining classrooms.
Two grants totaling $150,000 allowed the crime lab to renovate storage areas and another classroom for its use.
The classroom will be made into offices for each of the crime lab workers and a secretary.
There will also be room for a new set of cabinets for reports, which go back to when the lab was first opened. A new system computer will also be put in place for an internal case file search. A video center will also be put into the new space for press releases and possible video training.
However, Dr. Phillip Whittle, crime lab director, said one of the most important things to come from the grant is the extra space.
"We had just completely saturated the space we had," he said. "We've added about 50 percent more space."
Others in the lab agree.
"It's desperately needed," said Mike Davis, criminalist in the Crime Lab. "It (the boxes and files) doesn't look as crowded as it was before it was moved."
Overall, though the renovations have not completely taken place, the new space totals 4,000 square feet and the grants will allow the lab to update some of its older equipment.
"We have computers HP won't even service anymore," Davis said.
Whittle also said the space will allow the lab to organize smaller work areas into specific areas for analysis.
"We try to maintain a full-service lab," Davis said.
This reorganizing will shorten the turnaround time for work the lab does for area criminal justice centers.
"We serve about 50 different criminal justice agencies," Whittle said. "Seventy percent of it is drug analysis."
Whittle said the agencies are an important part of the work.
"Sixty percent of the funds come from the agencies we serve," he said.
The Joplin Police Department, however, has decided not to use the lab because of budget issues.
"Joplin was just over 25 percent of the budget," Whittle said.
He said there were no hard feelings over the decision.
"We all have that (budget) problem," Whittle said.
The opinions are not negative. Davis said the University has been a help too.
"It's nice to know the University is behind us 100 percent," Davis said.
"I think it's (the grant) a tribute to the work Dr. Whittle has done that University has shown that much confidence in him and his work."