New crime lab set for Cape Girardeau through MSHP and SEMO merger

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Law enforcement agencies across Southeast Missouri are getting a major boost in how quickly they can solve forensic crimes. This comes as a new crime lab is set to come to Cape Girardeau. 

Through the efforts of several Missouri Senators and Representatives funding was established to merge the Southeast Missouri State University Crime Laboratory into the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab Division.

Governor Matt Blunt signed the merger establishing the budget for a new crime lab and today city and state leaders, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and SEMO joined together to share details on the merger. 

“This is something that, we put a large commitment into, not only to help serve the community, but also serve those crime victims and then also the other agencies. 90% of the cases that the Missouri state highway patrol, crime lab processes are for other agencies” says White.

Highway Patrol Captain Scott White of the Public Information’s Division shares the new Troop E crime lab represents a significant investment in the safety and security of the region. The lab was a land donation through the Southeast Missouri s\State University joining the facilities together. White shares through a partnership that benefits both SEMO students and MSHP a new crime lab will be built that will provide quicker scientific analysis that allows investigators to solve crimes, identify suspects and give justice to families.

“We’ll be able to get those answers to the victims as soon as we can and we saw that today we saw the family of a crime victim that was here today and it shows you how, personnel that people take this and we take that personal also” says White.

Highway Patrol Captain White is referring to the family of Cheryl Anne Scherer a Scott County teen who went missing 47 years ago and the case remains unsolved to this day, although investigators continue to work the case.

The crime lab had the support of many local leaders, including representatives Jamie Burger, and John Voss, Cape’s Mayor Stacy kinder and more.  Representative Burger saying this lab will give investigators and victims the answers they deserve, as some families wait decades without answers, brother of Cheryl Anne Scherer Anthony Scherer says it’s encouraging to know other families will have those answers.

 “Well, for me personally, it may not help us in our case because it’s been a long time, but it’s just very encouraging to know that someone may not have to wait 47 years to get their answer and I’m not saying they can’t help us, too, but the main thing is just that for the future” says Scherer.

The building process has not yet begun, and a timeline hasn’t been announced on when the crime lab will be ready. Today marked the first step in celebrating the collaboration. Cheryl Anne Scherer’s sister Diane Scherer-Morris says this is a great breakthrough for families who need answers.

“That it’s available here in our area” says Scherer-Morri “So that if things are found that, they may have the quicker response, you know, if there are remains families can get answers quicker.”