Sheriff’s Crime Lab

* Re “Prop. 15 Loss Dims Hopes for Overhaul of Crime Lab,” March 13.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department says its crime lab can get a DNA test done in 10 days for $65 while outside labs charge from $800 to $1,800 with the results returning in four or five months. It says its outside lab costs could rise to $500,000 annually.

It says it needs $12.5 million (or 25 years worth of commercial lab work) right now to expand its in-house lab to accreditation standards.

Does having the arresting authority, the prosecution and the “evidence proving” lab all under one roof present any ethical challenges?

I’m with the majority of the voters: Let the outside labs do the work and spread the expense out over 25-plus years.

Were I younger, I’d jump at the profitable business opportunities available in all this to render quicker service at lower expense. Where are all the takers?

ROGER G. PARISEAU JR.

Oxnard