State Takes Action Against Crime Lab Personnel

Testing problems at a Massachusetts crime lab have now led to two employee resignations, one firing and disciplinary proceedings against another worker. Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby announced more personnel fallout Thursday during a news conference on the mishandling of drug samples at the Boston lab. Chemist Annie Dookhan resigned in March during an investigation by the Department of Public Health.

Bigby says Dr. Linda Han, director of laboratory sciences, also has resigned and that Julie Nassif, director of the analytical chemistry division, has been fired. And Dookhan's direct supervisor is currently in disciplinary proceedings. State police, who recently took over the lab, say Dookhan violated testing protocols and may have deliberately mishandled drug samples. Bigby says she doesn't know the motive, but said it went beyond 'simple sloppiness'.

[Via Associated Press]