Nassau County - Long Island, New York

Mangano Announces Forensic Advisory Board To Guide New Crime Lab & Re-Establish Core Capabilities

Accepts Inspector General’s Recommendation to Expand Review of Old Casework to Every Discipline

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today released the County’s response to New York State Inspector General Ellen N. Biben’s investigation into the Nassau County Police Department’s Forensic Evidence Bureau (FEB) and announced the creation of an independent Forensic Advisory Board charged with reestablishing core capabilities of the crime laboratory and guiding the development, protocols and accreditation of a new crime laboratory to be located in the County’s Public Safety Center (PSC) in New Cassel. As recommended by the Inspector General, the County will expand the review of FEB’s casework to include every discipline.

“I ordered the crime laboratory’s doors closed in February 2011 after learning of reports indicating that inspectors from a national accrediting agency sounded alarms about critical errors dating back to September 2005. I thank the Inspector General for performing a thorough investigation and for providing recommendations to address the systematic failure of Nassau’s Forensic Evidence Bureau,” said County Executive Mangano. “Today we take the first step forward at renewing Nassau’s laboratory credibility by establishing an independent board of scientific experts, academics and other individuals well-known for their public safety experience and expertise. Together, they will guide Nassau County’s forensic services into the 21st Century while ensuring the County maximizes efficiencies and personnel.”

“The appointment of a Forensic Advisory Board is an important step to ensure that Nassau's new civilian-run crime lab opens its doors using the most qualified professionals, latest technology, and best procedures to restore public confidence in the evidence we present in court. Chief Assistant District Attorney Madeline Singas will represent my office well as a member of the Board, ensuring open communication between prosecutors, lab officials, and accrediting agencies,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

The County Executive has tasked the Forensic Advisory Board with:

  • overseeing the re-establishment of the lab in a new facility under the guidelines which were articulated in the IG's report;
  • coordinating the efforts of the relevant County agencies and Inspector General's Office to ensure that the new lab will be fully compliant with state law and will receive accreditation,
  • working with human resources agencies to hire the best and most qualified civilian personnel for the lab,
  • ensuring that throughout the process there is full and transparent communication and information sharing to all constituencies of the lab, and
  • serving as a repository and clearing house for all information regarding the rebuilding project.

The Forensic Advisory Board, still in formation, includes:

  • Michael Balboni, former Deputy Secretary for Public Safety to the Governor of the State of New York and former New York State Senator. Mr. Balboni will serve as Chairman of the Board.
  • John Hicks, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Senior Executive who established the FBI’s Forensic Science Research and Training Center and coordinated the DNA development program which led to the implementation of CODIS, the national DNA Databank.
  • Diane D. Markunas, former Nassau County Deputy Medical Examiner for Administration.
  • Michael W. Warren, Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Anthropology.
  • Madeline Singas, Chief Assistant District Attorney for Nassau County. Madeline is the former Chief of the Special Victims Bureau. Ms. Singas will serve as representative for Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

To date, the County has reestablished toxicology testing and has received provisional accreditation to perform latent print analysis. The County is actively working to re-establish other core capabilities including the testing of bulk evidence and questioned documents.