Washington State Patrol Reduced Toxicology Lab Backlog
The state laboratory system has reduced its forensic testing backlog following years of significant delays.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Drug Crime
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Washington State Patrol has lowered its forensic toxicology backlog to approximately 14,000 cases. This follows a peak of 17,000 cases in August 2025 as the agency works to address processing delays.
Why it matters
The backlog created significant challenges for DUI prosecutions, as delayed test results occasionally caused cases to exceed the 24-month statute of limitations for gross misdemeanors. Staffing levels that failed to keep pace with a 59% rise in submissions since 2015 contributed to these delays.
The current backlog of 14,000 cases remains high, with specific drug tests experiencing turnaround times ranging from 10 to 22 months. Officials are prioritizing the oldest cases to prevent further expiration of DUI prosecutions.
The players
Washington State Patrol
This state agency is responsible for law enforcement and forensic toxicology services across Washington.
The details
To manage the volume, the agency opened a secondary laboratory in Federal Way in 2023 and has begun prioritizing the oldest pending cases. Lawmakers have also authorized local governments to outsource testing to private labs at their own expense to clear the pipeline.
Timeline
Casework submission increases began in 2015.
A secondary toxicology lab opened in Federal Way in 2023.
The backlog reached a peak of 17,000 cases in August 2025.
A legislative hearing on the outsourcing bill occurred in January 2026.
The agency targets 90-day turnaround times by late 2028.
Legal Context
Forensic backlogs have strained the state's judicial system, directly interacting with the 24-month statute of limitations for gross misdemeanor DUIs. Prosecutors and labs are increasingly focused on these timelines as cases in areas like Kitsap have already expired due to testing delays.
The reduction in backlogs aims to restore the viability of DUI prosecutions, ensuring that those charged with impaired driving face timely legal outcomes. Residents and local businesses benefit from a more efficient court system that prevents criminal cases from being dismissed due to administrative delays.
The takeaway
The agency remains focused on reaching a 90-day turnaround goal by late 2028 to stabilize the justice process. Local jurisdictions now have the added flexibility to use private laboratories to help alleviate pressure on the state system.
Further reading
For more information on the regional impact of these forensic delays, visit Drug Crime.
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Should your local government pay private labs to speed up toxicology testing for local DUI cases?
