HENDERSON (KLAS) — A recently opened forensics lab where specialists can perform deep analysis of shoeprints was in the spotlight as Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero delivered her State of the City speech Thursday.
Romero highlighted the city’s recent accomplishments and discussed future projects at the event. She talked about developing parks, a new education center and plans to conserve water.
Details provided about the new lab revealed that its specialized staff — unique in Nevada — has made an impact on solving crimes.
The city opened the lab earlier this year, and combined with the work of outside agencies, it has already seen success with old cases, according to Romero.
“It’s almost down to nothing now, because they’ve been able to work so much quicker and get rid of that backlog,” she said.
The new lab houses several different specialties within a 20,000-square-foot facility, a big change from the old dental office that served as the previous lab.
Some of the specialties of Henderson’s new forensics lab include solving crimes by tracking tire treads as well as analyzing the bottoms of people’s shoes.
Analyzing those shoes is a special skill. The lab hosts Nevada’s only certified footwear examiners. Tanya Hiner is one of the specialists.
“We are the only two certified footwear examiners that are practicing in Nevada. The Henderson Forensic Laboratory is the only forensic lab that does footwear and tire track examination,” Hiner said.
Although they work in Henderson, solving crimes isn’t the place to be selfish. The lab works with agencies around the valley to help solve cases. It’s a two-way street, with those agencies also helping with firearms and DNA examinations.
“Any time we can solve a crime, whether it’s in Henderson or any other city, it’s a bonus for the whole community,” Romero said.
