FBI Funds Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab in Support of Tribal Communities

PHOENIX, AZ—Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Nathan Thomas Gray announced the FBI will fund the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab to examine crime scene evidence submitted by Tribal Law Enforcement authorities and the FBI. This partnership between federal, state, and tribal law enforcement will enhance the criminal investigations within Indian Country by improving the timeliness for evidence examinations and results. In turn, this will allow the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue timely prosecution of violent criminal matters. American Indian communities in Arizona will be served more efficiently and effectively when it comes to public safety matters.

“The Arizona Department of Public Safety has always enjoyed an excellent partnership with the FBI. We operate a superb state crime lab and we’re pleased the federal government has recognized the outstanding work by our lab professionals with this agreement. I know it will go along way toward helping the FBI adjudicate tribal criminal cases,” said Col. Robert Halliday, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

“The FBI commends the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab for its support, expertise, and professionalism. The FBI will continue to work with our tribal law enforcement partners to hold accountable those individuals who prey on community members, of whom many are women and children,” stated SAC Gray. “Victims of crime will directly benefit from the ability of tribal law enforcement, DPS, and the FBI to solve cases in a proficient manner.”

“I want to thank the FBI for their leadership in this effort to strengthen criminal justice in Indian Country,” said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “This will mean a faster turnaround for processing evidence, then quicker charging decisions, prosecutions, and closure to victims of violent crime.”