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A Look At The Fallout As State's Crime Labs Come Under Scrutiny For Second Time

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For the second time, procedures at the state's crime labs have come under scrutiny and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of criminal convictions will have to be reviewed and potentially thrown out, because of criminal conduct by a state chemist.

A report released by the attorney general's office Wednesday found system-wide failures at the state drug lab in Amherst. That's where chemist Sonja Farak admitted to regularly abusing drugs meant to be testing samples, as well as drugs turned in from police investigations.

The lab is overseen by state police, and ultimately the secretary of public safety.

Thomas Workman, a forensic scientist and adjunct professor at the UMass School of Law, joined WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss procedures at the lab and the fallout.

This segment aired on May 5, 2016.

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Deborah Becker Host/Reporter
Deborah Becker is a senior correspondent and host at WBUR. Her reporting focuses on mental health, criminal justice and education.

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