CEDAR CITY, Utah, April 28, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Department of Public Safety has opened a new southern Utah crime lab in Cedar City.
At a media event on Monday, representatives from Utah state government, the DPS, Iron County law enforcement agencies and Cedar City government gathered to commemorate the opening of the new southern Utah branch of the state crime lab, said a news release. The new lab will provide employment opportunities in rural Utah, and will expand and enhance the forensic services provided not only regionally, but throughout the statewide system, the news release said.
“I am proud to join the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, members of our legislature and representatives from local law enforcement for this event,” said DPS Commissioner Jess L. Anderson. “Today, the Department of Public Safety’s state crime lab, which is the only accredited, full-service forensic service provider in Utah, completes our statewide system with a northern, central and now southern crime lab.”
The new crime lab will contribute to DPS’ mission of Keeping Utah Safe in many ways, the news release said. “The local region will certainly benefit from the physical presence of additional forensic scientists,” the news release added. “And the statewide system will benefit, too, as the additional crime lab staff members can assist with the analysis of case work anywhere in the state. With this lab, DPS will be able to provide more and better service at a local level — all around. Evidence submissions will be more convenient for law enforcement agencies.”
As cases get more complex and there are more disciplines and other types of analyses available at this lab, those case consultations will be essential to providing the best service possible, the news release said. DPS will also have the opportunity to bolster crime scene response now that there will be local analysts in the community.
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox said: “These are the types of investments that I want to see more of, that I think you can expect more of. That the resources that have historically just been along the Wasatch Front will be available to the people here [in rural areas.] Justice delayed is not justice served. That’s true, by the way, whether you’re guilty, but it’s especially true if you’re innocent.”
Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson added: “I think the opening of the southern Utah crime lab is going to be a tremendous benefit and asset to the entire southern Utah community, especially victims of crime. Modern day prosecutions require the highest standards of scientific and forensic evidence. The evidence that’s going to be processed here in this lab will be critical in both identifying suspects to be held accountable as well as exonerating the innocent.”
The opening of the new lab was made possible through the support of the Utah Legislature, and Utah State Senators Evan Vickers and Don Ipson and Utah State Representative Rex Shipp were in attendance at the ceremony, the news release said.
