State toxicology lab chief resigns over DUI errors
SEATTLE -- Dr. Barry Logan, head of the state crime and toxicology labs, has resigned following the discovery of deficiencies in the way DUI testing was conducted at the toxicology lab.
Logan's resignation is effective March 14.
As head of the Washington State Patrol's Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, Logan was responsible for operation of the state crime lab and toxicology lab. He also filled the role of state toxicologist.
"Barry and I spent a good deal of time discussing the future of his bureau," said State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. "In the end, we came to a collegial and mutual agreement that a change in leadership is necessary."
Logan said he felt as director of the toxicology and crime labs, he had to take responsibility for the events of the last eight months, which involved decisions by judges in King and other counties to disallow use of breath tests in DUI cases.
For several months, the patrol has been in the process of correcting operational deficiencies discovered in the toxicology lab. Recent court rulings also were critical of the operation and management of the lab.
Batiste accepted the resignation "with regret." He has appointed Crime Lab Division Manager Larry Hebert, a 34-year veteran of the lab, as interim bureau commander.
Under Dr. Logan's leadership, the lab grew dramatically in both size and scope. More than 50 scientists and professional staff were added, backlogs of cases were reduced, and the toxicology lab received accreditation from the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists.
Irregularities were discovered in the toxicology lab in late summer 2007.
A senior manager was found to have signed off on tests she did not personally perform. An investigation into that misconduct led to the discovery of other problems, including errors that may have materially affected breathalyzer results in about 130 DUI cases.
Batiste immediately ordered a series of audits, and all recommendations made by the auditors to date have been accepted. Most have already been implemented. A review of those audits is being done by the state's Forensic Investigation Council, which will decide if it needs to conduct a further audit of its own.
In King County, three judges referred to what they called ethical lapses and a climate of compromise in the state toxicology lab.
Logan says he strongly disagrees with the findings of those judges, although he admits there were errors made in the lab. He said as soon as the problems were identified, they were corrected and he is confident in the calibration of breath test equipment and in the performance of the toxicology lab.
A national search for a new bureau director will begin immediately. However, that position will no longer fill the dual role of state toxicologist. Dr. Fiona Couper of Washington, D.C., has already been hired to fill that role, and will begin work on March 10. She will have five business days of orientation time with Dr. Logan before his resignation is effective.
The new director will serve as a chief administrator for the bureau, with Dr. Couper responsible for assuring technical excellence in the lab itself.
"The men and women who work in the tox lab are some of the finest scientists I know," Batiste said. "I have confidence in them, and I have no higher priority than restoring public and judicial confidence in the work they do."
Logan's resignation is effective March 14.
As head of the Washington State Patrol's Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, Logan was responsible for operation of the state crime lab and toxicology lab. He also filled the role of state toxicologist.
"Barry and I spent a good deal of time discussing the future of his bureau," said State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. "In the end, we came to a collegial and mutual agreement that a change in leadership is necessary."
Logan said he felt as director of the toxicology and crime labs, he had to take responsibility for the events of the last eight months, which involved decisions by judges in King and other counties to disallow use of breath tests in DUI cases.
For several months, the patrol has been in the process of correcting operational deficiencies discovered in the toxicology lab. Recent court rulings also were critical of the operation and management of the lab.
Batiste accepted the resignation "with regret." He has appointed Crime Lab Division Manager Larry Hebert, a 34-year veteran of the lab, as interim bureau commander.
Under Dr. Logan's leadership, the lab grew dramatically in both size and scope. More than 50 scientists and professional staff were added, backlogs of cases were reduced, and the toxicology lab received accreditation from the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists.
Irregularities were discovered in the toxicology lab in late summer 2007.
A senior manager was found to have signed off on tests she did not personally perform. An investigation into that misconduct led to the discovery of other problems, including errors that may have materially affected breathalyzer results in about 130 DUI cases.
Batiste immediately ordered a series of audits, and all recommendations made by the auditors to date have been accepted. Most have already been implemented. A review of those audits is being done by the state's Forensic Investigation Council, which will decide if it needs to conduct a further audit of its own.
In King County, three judges referred to what they called ethical lapses and a climate of compromise in the state toxicology lab.
Logan says he strongly disagrees with the findings of those judges, although he admits there were errors made in the lab. He said as soon as the problems were identified, they were corrected and he is confident in the calibration of breath test equipment and in the performance of the toxicology lab.
A national search for a new bureau director will begin immediately. However, that position will no longer fill the dual role of state toxicologist. Dr. Fiona Couper of Washington, D.C., has already been hired to fill that role, and will begin work on March 10. She will have five business days of orientation time with Dr. Logan before his resignation is effective.
The new director will serve as a chief administrator for the bureau, with Dr. Couper responsible for assuring technical excellence in the lab itself.
"The men and women who work in the tox lab are some of the finest scientists I know," Batiste said. "I have confidence in them, and I have no higher priority than restoring public and judicial confidence in the work they do."