SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. -- A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation employee who analyzed critical evidence linked to criminal cases from Memphis and Shelby County was fired after her honesty and ethics were questioned. It's all laid out in the employment files WREG Investigators uncovered. In August 2018, the TBI lab in Jackson hired Sarah Lawrence as a forensic scientist. She was assigned to the forensic biology unit, which according to the TBI's website, analyzes DNA and performs DNA profiling. A big part of what the unit does is analyze rape kits. Police continue to work hundreds of cases connected to rape kit backlog In May, records indicate she was placed on leave. Two months later, the TBI director sent a letter stating in part, despite warnings and offers to help, Lawrence "continued to be involved in a personal situation that is not in alignment with TBI standards." It went on to state, it's believed she was "dishonest with investigators and possibly court officers." It didn't go into detail, but claimed she violated policies including being "professional and ethical" at all times, having "good judgment" and "not knowingly become associated with any subversive organization." Days later, Lawrence appealed. She said there was "no explanation or evidence" and stressed at the hearing she was "one of the top producing forensic scientists in the state." Her statement and other statements given at the hearing that detail what exactly happened were redacted due to the state law. We have tried to get in touch with Lawrence to get her side of the story. Ultimately, the TBI stood by Lawrence's termination since they believe some of the allegations present "Giglio issues." "We received word from TBI that they had an agent, Sarah Lawrence, who may have made false statements. Not with regard to her job, but with regard to a case in which she was the victim," Shelby County Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman said. He maintains the office's Giglio List, which names law enforcement officers who have had their credibility called into question. If the officer is needed or expected to testify, his team alerts the defense counsel and explains why the officer is on their list. "Whenever you have a law enforcement officer who's been documented making false statements, you have to take action," he said. "We added her to our list July 24." DeSoto County assistant DA held in contempt of court Since then, nine active criminal cases in Shelby County have been identified that involve Lawrence's work. "Which we considered a good amount. It was a lot of DNA testing on the child sex cases that, you know, are pending," Hagerman said. He said some of the cases involve children and some were cold cases. Most involved sexual assaults, rape, rape of a child or aggravated rape charges. The DNA evidence is vital in each case. That's why Hagerman said the TBI is retesting it. "It is very rare that testing for DNA consumes the entirety of the sample. So doing more tests on the samples and the evidence is normally not a problem," he explained. One other TBI forensic scientist is on their Giglio list. In July 2021, the former Shelby County DA alerted the public defender's office and required a second examiner to look at the evidence called into question. She asked they reach the same conclusion before a report is issued. The difference now, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled a forensic expert testifying on another forensic expert's work could violate the Sixth Amendment unless both are made available at trial. That means if Lawrence was the only one to analyze a rape kit, she would be the only one who could likely testify and help jurors understand the results. "We need to disclose the problems to defense attorneys, and when possible, we need to retest and have a different scientist testify in court," Hagerman said. WREG Investigators asked if this could delay cases. "We put the prosecutors of those nine cases in direct contact with the head of the TBI lab, so that they could do testing and not delay things," he said. "It's probably case by case, but I know that TBI is prioritizing it." Get the latest from the WREG Investigators in your inbox Agencies across West Tennessee send their evidence to the Jackson lab. We asked the TBI who else was alerted and just how many rape kits Lawrence analyzed. The TBI said it didn't have any information to share right now. What's certain, Hagerman says their office will be on alert just in case her work is attached to more cases. "Even if it's not a case yet. Maybe it's a case a year from now, it will be flagged and retested," he said. ► DO YOU NEED A STORY INVESTIGATED? WREG Investigators want to hear from you! Call our tip line at 901-543-2378. You can also send an email to [email protected].