Repository Collection 03
An Independent Review of the SBI Forensic Laboratory
REPORT ENTRY
Last Revised • July 2, 2026
An Independent Review of the SBI Forensic Laboratory is an independent review commissioned by the North Carolina Attorney General to examine the policies, practices, and quality assurance procedures of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Forensic Laboratory. The report documents significant findings concerning laboratory operations, evidence handling, oversight, and recommended reforms. The Supplemental Motion cites this report in support of allegations concerning forensic practices and the reliability of evidence discussed throughout Statement of Facts A.
Related SMAR Citation
Paragraph 7: “[An Independent Review of the SBI Forensic Laboratory. Chris Swecker, Attorney at Law; Michael Wolf, Consultant. 2010]”
Paragraph 9: “[Swecker and Wolf, 2010]”
Source Name
An Independent Review of the SBI Forensic Laboratory
Author(s)
Chris Swecker
Michael Wolf
Publication Date
2010
Verification Authority
Independent Review of the SBI Forensic Laboratory (Swecker/Wolf Report)
Source Location
North Carolina Digital Collections
Highlighted Pages
3–4, 7–8, 10–12, 21–26
Referenced in the Supplemental Motion
Pages 10–12, 21–26, Paragraphs 7 and 9
Source Status
✔ Report obtained and verified
✔ Highlighted research copy created
✔ Publicly available source
✔ Included within the Source Verification Archive
Cited to Support
Paragraph 7: Lyle C. May alleges that the North Carolina Attorney General ordered an independent review of the SBI Forensic Biology Section following the exoneration of Gregory Taylor by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission; that the review was conducted by Chris Swecker and Michael Wolf; and that the resulting Swecker-Wolf Report documented concerns regarding SBI laboratory practices. May cites this report as the foundational source for his subsequent allegations concerning forensic misconduct, reporting deficiencies, and systemic failures within the SBI Crime Laboratory, including those affecting evidence analyzed in his own case.
Paragraph 9: May's allegation that a limited review of the SBI Crime Laboratory's DNA program uncovered serious deficiencies in forensic analysis and reporting practices. Specifically, Swecker and Wolf found "serious errors on the part of DNA analysts" and concluded that laboratory practices between 1987 and 2003 raised concerns that material and potentially favorable evidence may have been withheld or misrepresented. Lyle May cites the report to support his claim that the problems identified within the SBI laboratory were systemic rather than isolated incidents and that those deficiencies may have affected criminal prosecutions throughout North Carolina, including the forensic evidence presented in his Buncombe County prosecution arising from the July 1997 murders in Asheville, North Carolina.
Supporting Documents
Original Document
Link to the original document.
Highlighted Research Copy
Working research copy containing the highlighted passages cited in the Supplemental Motion.
Continue Your Research
Return to Statement of Facts A
Continue browsing the sources cited throughout Statement of Facts A.
Return to Source Verification Archive
Return to the main Source Verification Archive and explore additional sections of the Supplemental Motion.