Nika Larsen: Oregon: (Crime lab corruption series: Part One)...(From our 'here we go again' department? HL); Forensic Magazine reports that the former lab analyst has been charged with stealing morphine from an evidence locker."Nika Elise Larsen, 36, is accused of two counts of obtaining a controlled substance through misrepresentation, fraud and deception. Larsen allegedly used her position as a forensic scientist to steal pills from evidence submitted to the lab for testing. Allegations first arose last September when improprieties in a single case led to a full blown investigation. At that time, authorities were notified of around 1,500 cases that Larsen worked on during her time at labs in Bend, Pendleton and Ontario, Ore. The alleged stolen drugs include: Morphine, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Oxycodone, Tramadol, and Hydromorphone, which are all Schedule II controlled substances. Reports say she replaced the prescription pills with “dummy pills” to avoid detection."

STORY:  "Former Lab Analyst Charged with Stealing Morphine from Evidence Locker," by Sean Allocca, published by Forensic Magazine on 28 July, 2016. (Sean Allocca is editor of Forensic Magazine.)

GIST: "A former Oregon State Police crime lab technician has been charged with stealing prescription pills—including Morphine and Methadone—from labs in, at least, two counties, according to federal court documents filed last week. Nika Elise Larsen, 36, is accused of two counts of obtaining a controlled substance through misrepresentation, fraud and deception. Larsen allegedly used her position as a forensic scientist to steal pills from evidence submitted to the lab for testing. Allegations first arose last September when improprieties in a single case led to a full blown investigation. At that time, authorities were notified of around 1,500 cases that Larsen worked on during her time at labs in Bend, Pendleton and Ontario, Ore. The alleged stolen drugs include: Morphine, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Oxycodone, Tramadol, and Hydromorphone, which are all Schedule II controlled substances. Reports say she replaced the prescription pills with “dummy pills” to avoid detection...  Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel told Forensic Magazine last October that all possible avenues would be considered in the investigation, and that thousands of cases are likely to be effected. "This strikes at the heart of our justice system," Hummel said.........

The Oregon case follows the decision by a Massachusetts court earlier this year to review some 40,000 cases, which potentially could have been tainted by Annie Dookhan. The former forensic analyst pleaded guilty two years ago of fraudulent work – and even forgery of other chemists’ work. Dookhan was released on parole in April."

The entire story: can be found at:

http://www.forensicmag.com/article/2016/07/former-lab-analyst-charged-stealing-morphine-evidence-locker?et_cid=5416545&et_rid=979655504&location=top&et_cid=5416545&et_rid=979655504&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2farticle%2f2016%2f07%2fformer-lab-analyst-charged-stealing-morphine-evidence-locker%3fet_cid%3d5416545%26et_rid%3d%%subscriberid%%%26location%3dtop

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts.
The search box is located  near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site.

The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at:

http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith

Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:

http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html


Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: 

 

hlevy15@gmail.com;
 
Harold Levy;