Updated: 7/29/2009 7:26:45 PM
Law enforcement agencies throughout East Tennessee are celebrating the opening of a multi-million dollar facility that could help solve crimes faster. On Wednesday morning, TBI Director Mark Gwyn and Joan Berry helped cut the ribbon to the new TBI consolidated facility in Strawberry Plains. Johnia Berry was killed in 2004. Since her murder, her parents Mike and Joan Berry have worked with law enforcement and lawmakers to improve the way crimes are solved in the state. After the ribbon cutting, TBI officials revealed the plaque that dedicates one of the many labs to the young woman killed in her Knoxville apartment. "We dedicated our DNA serology section to Johnia Berry," TBI Director Mark Gwyn said. "Through DNA, that crime was solved, so how fitting could it be to dedicate the DNA section to her." "Hopefully this is going to help lots of other families that they won't have to lose their child the way we've lost Johnia," Joan Berry said as she fought back tears. The Berry family worked with legislators to create a new state law called the Johnia Berry Act of 2007. Their efforts led to a DNA database and mandatory sampling from anyone arrested for violent felonies. Johnia Berry's parents also pushed for more money for TBI which has funded success. "We've received the personnel to input those samples into the database, the DNA database, and there's been crimes that have been solved because of that input that would have never been solved," Gwyn added. TBI officials say the $17-million facility will serve law enforcement in 21 East Tennessee counties. Within the 33,000 square foot facility, lab technicians who work in toxicology, forensics, and DNA all work under one roof. "I'm just so very proud of this day. Of course, I'd like, much rather have my child but this is a good thing," Berry said. About 62 TBI agents and technicians work in the new facility. The Berry family is also working with lawmakers in Georgia to create a new DNA database law in 2010.
