Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Attorney General issues statement on the State Crime Lab and firearms examinations

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today issued the following statement regarding the State Crime Lab and firearms examinations:

 

“The Rhode Island State Crime Lab recently notified this Office of an issue related to results in a firearms toolmarks examination in a pending criminal case. What this means is that certain evidence, specifically related to the microscopic toolmark analysis of firearms projectiles and shell casings, used in criminal cases may need to be re-examined. This Office is working expeditiously to identify all cases where a firearms examination involving toolmarks analysis was performed so that we can determine whether retesting of evidence by an outside, independent, accredited laboratory is necessary and understand the full scope of any impact, or whether this was an isolated incident.

    

Separately, on August 21 and 27, 2024, the State Crime Lab Commission met so that the Crime Lab could report on this issue to the Commission.  Based on the State Crime Lab’s report, the Commission recommended that the Lab take a number of remedial measures including:

 

  • Suspend firearm toolmarks examinations for the time being;
  • Arrange and pay for the examination or re-examination of all evidence, by an outside laboratory, as needed and requested by the Office of the Attorney General or law enforcement agencies; and,
  • Retain an outside accredited agency, in consultation with the Office of Attorney General and the Rhode Island State Police, to conduct a comprehensive assessment, including technical review of the operations of the firearms section of the State Crime Lab including but not limited to assessment of the lab protocols and procedures, lab management and supervision, and technical proficiency of the toolmarks examiners.

 

Upon receiving this report from the State Crime Lab, we have briefed the Presiding Justice of the Superior Court and the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association. This Office will work with the defense bar to identify and address any potentially impacted case as necessary.”

 

Additional questions concerning the Crime Lab should be directed to the University of Rhode Island.

 

A key report shows wholesale inflation slowed last month. The July Producer Price Index shows a rise of zero-point-one percent. The PPI measures prices that businesses receive for goods and services. Economists had been expecting a slightly higher increase, according to a survey by the Wall Street Journal.        Over one-point-three million people tuned into Elon Musk's conversation with former President Trump on X last night. Some technical issues delayed the conversation, but the pair still spoke for over two hours. They discussed the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania, immigration, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the threat of global warming, and more.        Voters are heading to the polls for primary elections in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin today. In Minnesota, progressive Congresswoman Ilhan Omar will defend her seat against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. The contest comes after two other members of the so-called progressive "Squad," Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, lost their Democratic primaries this cycle.        Tropical Storm Ernesto isn't expected to hit the U.S. mainland as it heads up the Atlantic Ocean. Current forecasts show the storm will bring heavy rain and flooding to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands today. The National Hurricane Center says Ernesto will then head northward and into the Atlantic.        A former Colorado clerk is facing up to 22 years in prison for election tampering. Tina Peters was convicted yesterday and will be sentenced in October. Prosecutors argued she let an unauthorized person access Mesa County's voting equipment in 2021 and make a copy of hard drives, as well as pictures of passwords, and then tried to cover it up.        U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles will not have her appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. On Sunday, the International Olympic Committee said it would take away her bronze medal because of a scoring error. Monday, USA Gymnastics said in a statement that it was notified that CAS rules don't allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered.        

Old News Archives