New forensic lab promises to speed up investigations
A new forensic lab in Pueblo West promises to speed up investigations for Pueblo police.
Chief Luis Velez says they’ve been waiting several months to process evidence, while a new CBI facility was built at 79 N. Silicon Drive.
“Evidence is of course what creates opportunity for us in investigating crimes,” Velez said. “When we have a lag time on evidence, we have a delay in investigations.”
Velez said the lab construction delayed CBI’s ability to process evidence at its old Pueblo lab. Some of the evidence was sent to offices in Denver and Grand Junction, while other evidence awaits to be processed in the new office. While he can’t elaborate on the specific case, Velez told KRDO NewsChannel 13 the work that will soon be done in the new facility will help crack open a big case.
“We believe that the evidence will point us in a direction and if that direction coincides with the course that the investigation has taken, we will be able to make an arrest in a case very soon,” Velez said.
Dozens of people gathered outside of the new $10.5 million facility Thursday morning to celebrate the grand opening, led by CBI Director Michael Rankin.
“This building will allow us to pull down those turnaround times so we can provide that swift and certain justice,” Rankin said.
It’s not just law enforcement agencies across Pueblo that will benefit from the lab. Rankin said 125 organizations across southern Colorado will submit evidence there.
“This really will allow us to provide world-class support for our partners across the state,” Rankin said.
CBI is offering tours to the public Friday, before it opens for business next week. The tours will occur on October 2 from 9 a.m. until noon. Individuals and groups are welcome. Guests should call Sandi Means at 970-248-7500 or email her at sandi.means@state.co.us to schedule a tour.
