Mangano: Crime Laboratory Fixes Underway

Announces New Management of Labs and Formation of Accountability and Oversight Committee

County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced a decision to place jurisdiction of the Police Department Crime Laboratory under that of the County Medical Examiner. Addressing immediate concerns, the County Executive also explained plans to address problems identified by a national laboratory accrediting agency last week that resulted in the laboratory being placed in probationary status.

“This move will restore the public’s faith in our crime lab, and it will not stop here,” said Mangano. “This week I replaced management at the lab and ordered a top to bottom review to ensure the best solutions are advanced to prevent these problems from occurring again.”

County Executive Mangano named Dr. Pasquale Buffalino Interim Director of the laboratories and formed an Accountability and Oversight Committee to identify the solutions needed to improve operations. For the past decade, Buffalino served as Director of the Department of Forensic Genetics in the Medical Examiner’s Office and worked 8 years prior for the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office. The newly formed Accountability and Oversight Committee consisting of representatives from the offices of the County Executive and District Attorney, as well as individuals from the Police Department, Department of Public Works, Office of the Medical Examiner, and Office of Information Technology.

“Nothing is more important to the criminal justice system than the integrity of evidence and the fairness of the process. This move helps immediately ensure both of those pillars will remain intact in days and years ahead. This shift in resources and authority is a necessary first step in what will be a comprehensive overhaul of this crucial criminal justice function,” said District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Mangano also announced that the County will contract with Dr. Peter Pizzola, an independent contractor, who will work hand in hand with Interim Director Buffalino to implement inter-remedial measures, hire qualified laboratory professionals, establish new policies and protocols, as well as ensure quality control of the laboratories. A forensic scientist for the past 40 years, Dr. Pizzola is a former Assistant Commissioner of the New York City Police Department Crime Laboratory and former Director of the City of Yonkers Police Department Laboratory and Crime Scene Unit. Pizzola is known for correcting deficiencies throughout New York State.

“I’m confident that our focus and direction will result in correcting existing deficiencies, improving day to day operations, and ultimately a state of the art crime laboratory facility,” said Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey.

The County Executive has identified long-term goals for improving County laboratories while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. These goals include moving the laboratories to the County’s Public Safety Center in New Cassel. The County Executive has charged Interim Director Buffalino and the Committee with researching laboratory consolidations conducted throughout the state, specifically in Onondaga and Westchester counties.