New boss seeks to restore trust in state toxicology lab

The new state toxicologist said she plans to focus on regaining public and judicial trust after recent allegations of sloppy work and fraud at the state's toxicology lab.

Fiona Couper, 37, said Tuesday she will be reviewing audits, talking to employees and analyzing findings about the way the Seattle-based lab has been run during the past year. More than 100 DUI (driving under the influence) breath-test results are in jeopardy because of work done by the lab.

Earlier this year, a panel of King County judges ruled that the lab engaged in "fraudulent and scientifically unacceptable" practices while preparing and analyzing breath tests used to prosecute drivers suspected of drunken driving. The judges called for the suppression of the tests and laid much of the blame on former toxicologist Barry Logan, finding he bore "a good deal of the responsibility for [the lab's] shortcomings."

Logan resigned last month.

State Patrol Chief John Batiste believes that part of the problem stemmed from Logan being both state toxicologist and director of the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau. He said Couper will work solely as toxicologist.

Couper said in a news conference Tuesday that her focus will be ensuring high-quality lab results and getting the facility up to strict standards that will help it gain international accreditation. She started work Monday, and will earn an annual salary of $109,000.

"I'm very much a scientist, and that's what I'm focusing on," Couper said. "It's already a great lab. I'm just going to improve on that."

Couper spent the past five years as chief toxicologist for the District of Columbia Medical Examiner's Office. She said that when she was hired there, the laboratory had been shut down because of concerns over leadership and competency. She said the lab reopened with her help in 2002.

Couper she previously worked for Logan in the Washington state crime lab as a UW doctoral student. Couper did her undergraduate and graduate work in Australia.

Logan's resignation came months after former toxicology-lab manager Ann Marie Gordon quit.

Gordon was accused of falsely claiming to have verified solutions used for breath testing in drunken-driving cases. The results have led to hearings across the state in which judges were asked to rule whether the breath-test results should be thrown out.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com