Olympia, WA – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is addressing a growing backlog of firearms cases at its crime labs in Vancouver, Tacoma, Seattle and Spokane.
The backlog reached 955 cases as of July 1, 2025, with a current wait time of 379 days, WSP said in a release.
WSP said the Crime Laboratory Division (CLD) has made strides by adding eight new Forensic Firearm Scientists over the past two years. Four trainees have completed the rigorous training and are examining evidence, while two more are expected to finish by mid-to-late August. The remaining two will complete training by the end of the year…