Rhode Island State Crime Lab investigating possible issue regarding firearms examinations

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island State Crime Lab is pausing work, after officials discovered evidence that may have been mishandled.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office said it was notified in late August about “non-conformity with laboratory standards” related to a gun in a single case.

In a statement, Attorney Peter Neronha said:

“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.” 

All gun examinations have stopped while an outside review is completed.

The Attorney General is also working to make sure no other cases were affected.