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I’ve heard that it is impossible to test for certain drugs, like LSD, until the patient is deceased.   Is this true?   How would that substance, or similar ones, be tested?
Basically, testing for any drug remains the same whether the person is living or deceased. LSD is difficult to test for due to the fact it is present in low concentrations and that it is light sensitive (the specimen needs to be protected from light prior to analysis to avoid destroying the drug).
 
Common practice is to use LC/MS/MS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Strectrometry) to test for LSD in serum, plasma, whole blood, urine or hair.   At the present time HNL does not test for LSD in house.  
 
How much education does a DNA analyst need?
A DNA analyst must have a BS or BA degree or the equivalent in a biology, chemistry or forensic science related area. It is necessary to have completed college classes or course work covering the areas of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology and also have college course work or training that covers the subject area of statistics and/or population genetics.

Are DNA testing labs open to defense attorneys if they want more information, have questions, or want to discuss the lab results of a case?
We are more than willing to talk, discuss and answer any questions defense attorneys may have about a particular case. Even though we work for the State Police, we have to be and are non-biased in regards to our testing. If a defense attorney wants to physically come to the lab, we must get permission. Our legal department usually handles these types of requests. We try not to let any non-employees into the DNA testing area due to the possibility of contamination.

Why did Theodore Solano only get 17-40 years? Why was he convicted of 3rd degree murder, instead of 1st degree murder?   
The DA agreed to the third degree charge if Theodore plead guilty without a trial. If the DA would have charged him with 1st degree murder and tried for the death penalty, the case would have gone to trial and been left in the hands of the jury, which is very unpredictable.  You never know what a jury will decide.
 
Theodore was 49 when he committed the murder and is 64 years old now. The earliest he can be released from prison is at the age of 81.

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