Q&A
Factors affecting toxicology turnaround times and staffing at forensic toxicology laboratory
1:26:32
ยท
103 sec
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about factors contributing to increased turnaround times for toxicology cases and staffing at the forensic toxicology laboratory. Robert Van Pelt explains the challenges and current staffing situation.
- Increased caseload due to a rise in overdose deaths contributed to longer turnaround times
- The laboratory underwent a new accreditation process (ISO 17025), which temporarily reduced staff availability for regular work
- OCME received funding for 8 additional criminalists through opioid settlement funds, with 7 positions filled
- The forensic toxicology laboratory has a total of 41 staff members with 4 current vacancies
Lynn Schulman
1:26:32
K.
1:26:33
According to the 2024 Mayor's Management report, the median turnaround time for toxicology cases increased between f y 23 and f y 24.
1:26:42
The report cited the increase of overdose deaths and a record increase in post mortem cases being submitted to the forensic toxicology laboratory for toxicological testing as contributors to this lag.
1:26:54
Aside from the increased caseload, what factors are contributing to these declining numbers for turnaround times?
1:26:59
And can you please tell us the number of staff who are employed at the forensic toxicology laboratory and the workload that they are subject to?
Robert Van Pelt
1:27:06
Thank you, council member, for that question.
1:27:08
Yes.
1:27:08
So in in 20 4 24, there was an increase in turnaround time for toxicology.
1:27:13
So that was correct.
1:27:15
It was due to the, the increased case load.
1:27:17
But, also, toxicology was, undergoing a new accreditation.
1:27:22
It's an advanced accreditation that's, required, now.
1:27:26
It was it's the international standard ISO 17025.
1:27:30
I had to write that down.
1:27:32
So, it it it in becoming accredited, it required taking off, a lot of the criminalists from their regular bench work to work on accreditation, work on on the equipment, and so that, as a result, also contributed to the, turnaround time increase.
1:27:47
Now we're fully accredited.
1:27:49
All the criminalists are back to their bench work, and, we anticipate well, we've seen already that toxicology Right.
1:27:55
Results have gone down.
1:27:56
Additionally, through the opioid settlement funds, we received a head count about 8 8 additional criminalists for toxicology lab.
1:28:03
We've hired 7 of those.
1:28:05
It's, so so we're we're headed in a good direction.
1:28:09
Great.
1:28:09
We have a total of 41 staff in toxicology and about 4 vacancies total.