AG Wrigley Wants More Authority Over State Crime Lab

(Bismarck, ND) — Lawmakers are considering giving North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley more authority over the state crime lab. A proposed bill would eliminate language that requires the lab to operate separately from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Wrigley asked a committee yesterday to allow his office more control over what gets prioritized at the lab. Many defense attorneys and advocates for abused individuals say a lack of independence for the lab would mean results could be swayed by workplace bias or pressure from law enforcement and prosecutors.