The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's southwestern regional crime lab has received international accreditation for forensic DNA analysis.

The lab in Moultrie was certified this week by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board. The accreditation means the lab meets internationally recognized quality standards.

The lab's staff includes three chemistry scientists, three biology scientists, three laboratory technicians and a manager. It also has international accreditation in drug chemistry and serology analysis.

It is expected that the lab will do DNA analysis on 200 to 250 cases each year. Adding this new DNA analysis capability will help improve turnaround time. It should also reduce backlogs of DNA testing on cases from agencies in 27 counties in southwest Georgia.

The GBI Crime Lab includes the headquarters lab and six regional labs.

Tags: DNA, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, GBI, Moultrie, crime labs, crime lab, DNA evidence