General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 9-0 SCOTUS ruling against asset forfeiture, this is a big deal [View all]JT45242
(2,248 posts)I took several forensic science graduate classes. This ruling will be a major setback to crime labs and police forces in general.
Each state had a law, passed at the request of police department and similar groups, that mandated that the money used from seized assets could only be used to buy equipment: Kevlar vests, ballistic analysis microscope, mass spectrometer, etc.
The NY State crime lab is called"the house that crack built." Those funds have allowed crime labs to get better DNA testing equipment which shortens the backlog of cases and allows the testing of old rape kits.
There will be problems related to this decision.
Although some localities may have abused it, it did provide funds for law enforcement by taking from those who broke the law. The comment about the parking tickets was a clear violation. All assets are legally required to be kept in impound until a case us resolved as a conviction, plea deal, or acquittal.
I know that ten years ago the Kentucky State crime lab was using equipment and procedures that were 5 years behind what high school students were doing with electrophoresis. I fear that will happen again.