RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) - The case against a Durham novelist is back in the spotlight after Netflix released new episodes of 'The Staircase.'
The documentary focuses on the murder investigation of Kathleen Peterson. She was found at the bottom of a staircase in their Durham mansion in 2001.
Her husband Michael was convicted of killing her, but was freed from prison in 2011 when a judge ordered a new trial.
The judge stated that the jury received misleading information about bloodstain evidence.
On Monday, CBS 17'S Lauren Haviland spoke with State Attorney General Josh Stein one-on-one about what improvements have been made to the state crime lab since then.
"The state crime lab understands its mission is to seek truth it is not to secure convictions," Stein said.
But as seen in 'The Staircase', the documentary highlights flaws in the justice system.
Stein said, "15-20 years there was a real question at the lab about the quality of the work that was being done."
He said since then, there's proof of improvement.
"The average turn around time in 2012 was three to four years on evidence. Today, it's four months," Stein told CBS 17.
The North Carolina State Crime Laboratory is now internationally accredited and each scientist is accredited in their field, which meant an increase in their pay.
"We're able to retain people," Stein said. "They've created new positions, and so we have 30 percent more scientists consistently working cases."
While efficiency is improving, there are still humans involved in the testing, Stein said.
"There are going to be mistakes, there are going to be imperfections," he said. "What the people of North Carolina need to be convinced about is that when their scientists, the scientists that work at the state crime lab, go and testify, they testify about exactly what they know. And then when they say something -- the people, the jurors -- can believe that information."
While a judge did grant a Peterson a new trial, he opted for an Alford plea. The plea means he maintains his innocence while agreeing that prosecutors have the evidence to convict him.
The plea deal calls for Peterson to be convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
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