State labs in Michigan handle huge testing volumes that rely on human input. When nearly 19,000 vials manually go through the process each year, mistakes can happen despite strict protocols. The idea of a zero-error lab sounds reassuring, but it is far from reality.
The risk of manual input
With the amount of samples labs handle, errors are inevitable. The most common mistakes involve the following:
- Pre-analytical errors (60–70% of lab mistakes): Involve mislabeling vials, improper storage and chain-of-custody breaks.
- Data-entry fatigue (18–40% of errors): Involves manual transcription of results and logs.
- Manual touchpoints: Involve handoffs and multiple handlers that raise the risk of mix-ups, contamination or lost samples.
Laboratories can fix these problems with quality control, automation and thorough audits.
How to challenge the zero-error assumption
Michigan defense teams dig deep into lab records to find errors that juries rarely see. These often include:
- Chain of custody: Look for missing signatures, timestamps or notes that show who handled the sample
- Calibration records: Check maintenance logs and daily control runs to confirm the equipment worked on the day in question
- Bench notes and audit trails: Check technician notes, raw output files and edit histories for transcription errors or overwritten entries
- Software and Laboratory Information System (LIS) logs: Compare raw instrument files to final reports to spot import/export errors or format glitches
- Staff training and proficiency: Check whether staff completed training and passed proficiency tests
These steps can expose real errors, so defense teams demand full records and bring independent professionals to review them.
What to do if you have an ongoing case
Lab errors can weaken your evidence or even lead to case dismissal. Give your lawyer every lab file you have and point out any manual handoffs or handwritten entries. A skilled lawyer can help order independent testing, demand audits and move quickly so files do not change and put your case at risk.