A scandalous case of a Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab worker in Springfield stealing methamphetamine that had been brought in as evidence has led to about 400 cases being dismissed, a five-year sentence for the convicted technician, and some changes for all five state crime labs. Matthew Barb got a five-year prison sentence for stealing the drugs, while many of the cases he handled were dismissed because the evidence could be tainted. Patrol Spokesman Captain Chris Ricks says the case prompted the Patrol to change some evidence-handling procedures, including making sure a supervisor is involved in processing in drug evidence. Ricks says no prosecutors he knows of have indicated they don’t have trust in the crime labs. He says the Patrol still has faith in the people who work those labs as well.
