Barry Logan resigned his position as director of the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, two weeks after a King County panel of judges ruled that the state toxicology lab engaged in “fraudulent and scientifically unacceptable” practices in the preparation and analysis of breath tests that are used to help prosecute Washington drunk drivers.  Frankly, Dr. Logan’s actions, as well as those the state toxicology lab, particularly as they relate to Washington DUI cases involving breath or blood tests, are a complete embarrassment to crime labs around the country.

In his resignation announcement, Logan stated that he felt “a great deal of responsibility when there are errors made that undermine public confidence in our breath-test program.”  And, there is no doubt that the public’s confidence in the state toxicology lab’s ability to properly assist prosecutors in Washington drunk driving cases was shaken to the core.  He went on to state that he felt that he had “reached a point where I have done as much as I can, and that led to my decision to step down.”  In our opinion, the public was well served by his resignation.

Logan began his career as a state toxicologist in 1990 and was named director of the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau in 2009.  He was responsible for two labs: the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory and the State Patrol Crime Laboratory Division.  Logan believes that the troubles that plagued his tenure were partly attributed to him basically working two full-time jobs.  This situation is now being rectified and each lab will have its own manger.

The lab came under scrutiny when a toxicology lab manager was accused of falsely stating the verification of solutions for breath testing in drunken-driving cases.  It was later revealed that Ms. Ann Marie Gordon had indeed committed perjury on dozens, if not hundreds of affidavits regarding the certification of simulator solutions that were critical to the properly administration of Washington DUI arrests.  Ms. Gordon resigned her position in July.

Many Washington DUI attorneys went on to successfully challenge these breath test results and have them thrown out.  This was the proper result since the tests themselves could not be trusted due to the problems and false statements associated with Ms. Gordon, as well as several others at the State Toxicology lab.