TRUNARC IN ACTION Faster case adjudication and improved efficiency of prosecution Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Background In 2011, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences centralizedand reduced the number of forensics laboratories by 30% from nine to six. As a result of this reduction, the drug case backlog exploded by 240% from 11,455 in August 2011 to more than 28,000 cases in March 2013—the vast majority more than 90 days old. At that time, it averaged 18 months to receive a drug report from the state lab, a requirement in Alabama for proceeding to grand jury. This backlog—and resulting trial delays—has been identified as an inhibitor to a safe and fair criminal judicial system and a contributor to unnecessary confinement in the State of Alabama. “ It’s n

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