BALTIMORE, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Orchid Cellmark, a Maryland-based DNA laboratory that has worked on many high-profile cases, has fired an analyst for allegedly falsifying test data.
The firing has set off a scramble by defense attorneys to review evidence in the affected cases, the Baltimore Sun reported.
The company's DNA analyses have included cases as the O.J. Simpson trial and the Jon Benet Ramsey murder.
Cellmark is a pioneer in the expanding field of solving crimes through the analysis of trace genetic material or DNA left on evidence, the report said.
Cellmark said the falsification occurred in only 20 tests, but it is investigating other cases the analyst worked on.
Many of the cases were performed for the Los Angeles Police Department. The alleged tampering has prompted the Los Angeles County public defender's office to review all pending cases involving Cellmark, the report said.
Thomas Mauriello, a University of Maryland criminologist, said Cellmark's "stellar" reputation will likely survive the alleged tampering. But the incident opens the door for lawyers to question the lab's credibility.
