The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Fort Myers crime lab will soon provide DNA analysis.

Right now evidence submitted for DNA analysis in the ten county southwest Florida area goes to the FDLE Crime lab in Tampa, which is one of only five in the state. This results in back-logs. FDLE Spokesman Larry Long says the DNA testing facility in Ft. Myers will speed things up.

“we’re hopeful by opening up the DNA lab and services in SWFL it will also help the backlog issue we have in our Tampa office so we’re hopeful when we get operations set up and running we will help reduce that backlog not only in Tampa but also across the state”

The DNA processing facility in Ft. Myers will cost about a million and a half dollars and will requiring hiring additional staff. Long says it should be up and running by October – greasing the wheels of justice from Manatee County south to Collier and east to Okeechobee.