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GBI asks legislature for funding to clear forensic backlog, expand GSAC and field digital forensics
Summary
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation told lawmakers it needs new positions, equipment and contract dollars to cut drug‑chemistry backlogs, expand a strategic threat assessment unit and embed digital forensics staff in field units to speed investigations and support prosecutions.
Lede: Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, told the House Public Safety Appropriations Committee the agency needs funds in the amended FY2025 budget to reduce crime‑lab backlogs, add forensic and intelligence personnel, and sustain security contracts and maintenance.
Nut graf: GBI said drug‑chemistry backlogs remain the largest single delay in getting forensic results; toxicology is also consequential. The bureau requested one‑time and recurring funds for lab service contracts, digital forensics staff, management positions and a short‑term strategic threat assessment expansion.
Key requests and rationale - Contract and security maintenance: $29,472 was cited to adjust statewide security contracts and service agreements for lab instrumentation; the director said service contracts include parts and reduce instrument downtime. - Crime lab technical leaders and chemistry oversight: funds to add supervisory and assistant manager roles and to expand chemistry capacity at the central lab and in regional labs (Macon) to address an overall backlog; director said chemistry accounts for roughly 77% of backlog in one section. - Digital forensic investigators: funding to embed digital forensics investigators in field work units so investigators have faster access to devices and evidence analysis. - Strategic Threat Assessment Group (STAG): one‑time costs to pilot expansion of the GSAC intelligence unit into a STAG to address threats to public officials, school threats, domestic threats at events and ports of entry; requested funding would cover 10 months of three sworn positions while grant funds are pursued.
Director Chris Hosey said the bureau has improved staffing and is adding medical examiner doctors (15 on staff with four vacancies at the time of testimony) and is conducting deep dives into the chemistry backlog. He also said turn‑over for lab scientific staff has improved from 8.2% to 4.6%.
Context: lawmakers and representatives from multiple districts asked for turnaround times on sexual‑assault kits and toxicology. The bureau said SAK processing had been reduced but remained around 300 kits backlogged and toxicology turnaround averaged roughly four to six weeks absent expedition.
Ending: GBI closed by asking the committee to consider the requested technical positions and contract increases to sustain forensic capacity and intelligence screening while they pursue other longer‑term solutions.
