PHOENIX -- A growing number of investigators have issues with the new Phoenix Crime Lab, according to a police union representative.

The crime lab, which cost taxpayers $38 million, is "grossly understaffed," said Billy Coleman of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.

"Detectives submit things, and (the lab is) so far behind, it's like they never get it analyzed," Coleman said.

Phoenix police detectives have written numerous e-mails criticizing the work done by the crime lab, Coleman said.

"Twenty detectives in the Phoenix PD don't trust their own crime lab," he said. "What does that say about the crime lab?"

Brent Vermeer, who is in charge of the crime lab, said he understands why some might be frustrated. The lab currently has about 22,000 pieces of evidence waiting to be tested; the DNA backlog contains 3,800 requests.

Right now, Vermeer said the crime lab has 123 analysts and 35 vacant positions.

DPS said its crime lab's backlog is about one-third of the Phoenix crime lab's, and the DPS lab worked about 17,000 more cases in 2007.

"It's a problem for our lab and every other lab in this country," Vermeer said.

Vermeer said the department outsourced $250,000 worth of lab work in 2007.

Even now, it can take three months for the Phoenix lab to send a DNA analysis back when a suspect is in custody -- longer if the case is not a priority.

"Some of those requests are left over after a year's time before we get to them," Vermeer said.