GBI asks for funding to expand Macon crime lab, add scientists and address backlog

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation requested amended-25 and FY26 funding to add crime-lab staff, cover start-up costs and expand equipment service contracts aimed at reducing a growing forensic backlog, agency leaders told the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The request targets three hires to boost chemistry capacity at the central crime lab in Macon, start-up funding for crime-lab assistant managers at headquarters and expanded service contracts for laboratory instruments. The GBI said chemistry makes up the largest share of pending evidence across its labs and that Macon accounts for roughly 15% of the agency’s backlog.

The funding package includes one-time start-up costs for new crime-lab positions, recurring costs to support equipment upkeep and a separate proposal to design a larger central crime lab in Macon. The GBI representative said additional…