By Associated Press - Monday, July 13, 2015

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Winston-Salem police say the city is working with National Medical Services-Integrated Forensic Laboratories to create a lab that will process tests for drug and alcohol cases in days instead of months and years.

The Winston-Salem Journal (https://bit.ly/1HpBOwu) reports that Police Chief Barry Rountree says the lab is scheduled to open next month. Rountree says the lab will allow tests to be processed faster, which will be better for investigators and the accused by allowing citizens to have a speedy trial.

Officials say the police department has depended on state labs, which can be backlogged for months and even years.



Officials say police are going through the final approval processes through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors and the Laboratory Accreditation Board. The lab is expected to open Aug. 1.

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Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, https://www.journalnow.com

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