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Scientists with the Connecticut Forensic Lab in Meriden worked around the clock during last week’s investigation after Rhode Island officials asked for their help.
MERIDEN, Conn. — As the eyes of the nation were on Providence, R.I. in the days following the deadly Dec. 13 mass shooting on the campus of Brown University, lab scientists in Meriden made an impact from a state over.
The shooting claimed the lives of two Brown University students, injured nine other people and led to one of the largest manhunts this region has seen in recent memory.
It wasn’t until last Thursday that the body of suspected shooter Claudio Neves Valente, 48, was discovered in a storage facility in Salem, N.H. He had been dead for two days.
Between Saturday and Thursday, a massive search spanning several states was launched, as law enforcement agencies at every level attempted to find the shooter.
During this period, Rhode Island Attorney General called upon the Connecticut State Forensic Science Laboratory for help.
According to a release on Tuesday from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the state didn’t hesitate when it came to lending a hand.
Dr. Guy Vallaro, director of the Division of Scientific Services for DESPP, said that lab scientists at the Meriden facility responded immediately and worked around the clock offering support.
“Our job is to independently and thoroughly analyze evidence when requested,” Vallaro said. “The forensic lab is committed to regional cooperation and assistance. We know neighboring states would help us with any investigation. In this case, when asked, we offered whatever help we could provide to our New England neighbor.”
The team from the Connecticut Forensic Lab worked with state and federal law enforcement agencies to examine evidence from the Brown University shootings for DNA and latent prints associated with a suspect.
Furthermore, they used the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network to analyze shell casings from the crime scene.
Lab analysis from the scientists in Connecticut gave important answers to personnel with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as state police and local investigators.
The DESPP release says that in one case, lab scientists in Meriden confirmed that one of the two recovered guns in New Hampshire on Dec. 18 was positively connected with the gun used in the mass shooting.
An additional firearm was positively connected to the murder of MIT Professor Dr. Nuno Loureiro in Brookline, Mass. following the shooting at Brown University, making Neves Valente the suspect in both cases.
A joint release from the FBI and the ATF expressed gratitude toward the Connecticut Forensic Lab.
“Their behind-the-scenes effort has allowed for the rapid scientific confirmation of the facts of this investigation,” it reads.
DESPP Commissioner Ronnell Higgins and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz met with the forensic team after the investigation to thank its members for their hard work.
Higgins said their effort assisted both federal and state investigators.
“We know that this is the kind of independent and thorough analysis that they perform every day for the citizens of Connecticut,” Higgins added.
Bysiewicz expressed that the work occurring at the Connecticut Forensic Lab represents the very best of public service.
“The dedicated staff and scientists worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support law enforcement efforts last week,” Bysiewicz said. “We are so thankful for the critical work they do every day for the people of Connecticut and our neighbors across the region.”
DESPP makes rapid analysis of crime scene evidence a top priority. The release notes that a system of regional evidence kiosks across Connecticut, coupled with more resources, has enabled rapid testing of DNA and ballistic crime scene evidence using NIBIN.
Connecticut’s lab has been recognized as a top model for state and forensic labs.
“I’m proud of what we do here and the fact that others rely on us and respect what we do here. It’s a good feeling,” Vallaro said.
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected].
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