Orangeburg leaders have announced a new fully accredited forensic science lab in partnership with Claflin University.

The new lab will serve as both a research lab for students studying Biotechnology and Criminal Justice, and also as a functioning lab for the city and for the region, officials said.

The forensic lab is a partnership between Claflin University and the city of Orangeburg, a first for HBCUs according to Claflin President Dr. Dwaun Warmack.

"This is the only collaboration with an historically black college and a city of this kind, in the United States of America," Dr. Warmack said.

The ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday marked the beginning of a new era of crime fighting, officials said.

Officials say that the this new technology will help investigators make arrests, and solve crimes quicker than ever before.

“We can identify what drug is present. Whether it be cocaine, methamphetamine, or any of the recent synthetic cathinone's," an Orangeburg Forensic Scientist said.

In the past, identifying and processing crime scene evidence has been vulnerable to error.

Now, officials believe the new capabilities at this lab could help free wrongly convicted people.

"Identifying and prosecuting those who are guilty. But, it also works in another direction, it terms of sometimes we may find evidence that will exonerate someone, who’s truly innocent," said Charles Austin Sr., the Orangeburg Director of Public Safety.

"I love that it blends science and law enforcement in the pursuit of justice," said Orangeburg Forensic DNA Analyst Jennifer Clayton. "Obviously, it’s just as important to make sure your exonerating innocent people, as it is to make sure your convicting the guilty."

Nhandi Edmond is a student at Claflin University, and hopes to be part of at least one thing, "To exonerate the innocent."