Havreite takes over State Crime Lab

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has appointed Havre native Scott Larson to become the next director of the Montana State Crime Lab.

Larson, who graduated Havre High School in 1993 before earning a Bachelor of Science in 1999 and a Master of Science in pharmacology/pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Montana in 2005, will take over as director Aug. 12. He will be replacing Phil Kinsey, Ph.D., who was appointed as Lab director in 2013.

Larson has been the toxicology supervisor at the Crime Lab for the last four years. Previously, he was the  deputy chief toxicologist in Washington, D.C., at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Lab and also worked as a toxicologist in the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.

"Scott's supervisory role in the Lab has played a big part in the improvement of its toxicology testing turn-around times," Fox said in a release announcing Larson's appointment. "His experience and dedication to the lab and the important role it plays in public safety will be invaluable in carrying forward the same spirit of continued improvements and efficiencies that benefit Montana's criminal justice community and the citizens of Montana."

Larson said  he believes continuity also played a role in the reason he may have been appointed.

"I think one thing they may have been looking for is stability within the laboratory," he said. "Finding an internal candidate - there are advantages to that - just because I already know the different personalities and the people within the attorney general's office. So that can kind of be a smoother transition at times."

"I have a good relationship with the medical examiners because our two groups work very closely together professionally," he added. "I know a lot about where we are with the accreditation process and keeping the laboratory accredited. I think they must have made a decision that the internal candidate decision benefit outweighs a national search."

The Crime Lab has had issues in the past with turnaround times on tests. Larson said once he begins his new job he will be able to see what may need to be done to improve those times.

"I need to dive into each of the individual sections and see where we're at," he said, adding that the initiative for speedier tests results has already begun in the toxicology department.

"In toxicology, we've really decreased our turnaround time considerably. So much of this stuff is resource-based," he said. "Sometimes we'll be able to cut down the turnaround time, maybe other times we'll find that we're efficient as we can be and it comes down to needing more resources. It really is section-dependent."

As the director, Larson said, he will work with the attorney general's office closely in terms of setting strategy and the direction of the laboratory. He will also be involved in grant writing and finding outside funding.

"And then just working with all the different sections and try and facilitate their needs with the budget that we have to work with," he said.

The Forensic Science Division - the State Crime Lab - analyzes crime evidence submitted by city, county and state law enforcement officials. Headquartered in Missoula with a satellite location in Billings, the lab also manages a statewide system of death investigations.

Larson left Havre many years ago, but he said he still has fond memories of his hometown.

"I had a great time growing up. I loved Havre. I thought it was a great place to grow up," he said.  "It was my hometown for many years. Good memories of the teachers we had in high school, and even grade school."