Thomas County Sheriff’s Office personnel make weekly trips to the Moultrie lab to transport evidence for testing.

“It’s going to hurt us,” said Pascal Autrey, sheriff’s office investigator. Fewer crime labs will add to the appreciable backlog the facilities already face, he added.

“It’s not going to be good for us or as efficient,” Autrey said.

The GBI investigative division, including the regional GBI office in Thomasville, also is seeing cutbacks.

New vehicles will not be purchased, along with a clampdown on travel. A hiring freeze is under way, and temporary staff at the Georgia Crime Information Center has been terminated.

GBI agents are not traveling to out-of-state meetings and are carpooling to training sessions.

Bankhead said other cuts are possible in the investigative division. GBI officials are trying to ensure that the main Atlanta lab and regional offices are not affected.

“We’re hoping,” Bankhead said.

The 21-year GBI spokesman said he has witnessed other state revenue shortfalls, but this one is the worst.