As fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise, officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have encountered their own set of challenges in investigating the deaths — particularly in the backlogged crime lab.
“Our biggest challenge in the lab is actually meeting the needs of the state, getting the tests that needed done and being able to catch up,” said Deputy Director for the Forensic Sciences Cleveland Miles at a recent media day event at GBI headquarters in Decatur.
One of the biggest challenges with the crime lab for the GBI this year has been the number of autopsies, and many have resulted from overdoses due to increase of fentanyl-laced drugs. Fentanyl is often added to other drugs.
“Last year, three million tablets of fentanyl came across the border,” GBI Interim director John Melvin said at the Aug. 16 event. “We are going to a little bit less than 6,000 autopsies this year, two-thirds of those are going to be overdose deaths. The polarity of fentanyl allows it much more quickly than any other opioid to go straight pass the brain membrane and cause seizures, so all of our officers have Narcan.”
Narcan has saved many lives during overdoses, including one recent incident in the Augusta area.
Scott Foster, the GBI special agent in charge of the Georgia Cyber Crime Center, found two women on the side of an Augusta highway giving a man CPR. According to Deputy Director of Investigations Christopher Hosey, indications were that this was a possible overdose situation. Hosey said that Foster saved the person’s life with the use of the Narcan.
“It was life saving measure. Without that, the citizen would have likely passed away on the side of the road,” Hosey said.
Melvin also said there is a nationwide shortage in the number of doctors going into the field as certified forensic pathologists. They are continuing to try get more people to join the field.
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“Here at the crime lab, we have 14 doctors right now. We are actively recruiting,” Melvin said.
After the meeting inside, media members were also able to go outside to view a live display from the crime scene unit and the bomb disposal unit.
GBI Special Agent Crime Scene Specialist Ashley Brown and Cassidy Patterson showed some materials and tools used and seen during investigation.
GBI Special Agent Mike Goelz spoke to the media about the Bomb Disposal Unit and the different equipment used when responding to calls. One thing the robot is used for is that it allows the agents to examine devices or suspicious packages remotely from the bomb truck without putting them in danger. Goelz said if the robot can’t accomplish everything needed, they will use the bomb suit, which allows them protection to get closer to the package.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
