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Forensics report: 184 assault kits processed; 26 CODIS associations
Summary
The department reported 184 sexual-assault evidence kits were submitted in the July–Dec. 2017 window, 88 met CODIS suitability, and 26 resulted in CODIS hits; 27 cases were forwarded to the district attorney and 13 were charged.
John Sanchez, the department’s forensic-services director, updated the commission on sexual-assault evidence-kit processing for July 1–Dec. 30, 2017. He said 184 kits were collected and processed in the laboratory, with the average turnaround under 30 days and all work completed in-house.
Sanchez reported 93 kits yielded foreign DNA profiles; 88 met CODIS eligibility and suitability requirements and were uploaded within the 120‑day target, producing 26 CODIS hits or associations. He gave case dispositions: 111 inactive, 26 cleared and 47 remaining open. Sanchez said the department made 114 survivor notifications under the Victims' Bill of Rights, 55 survivors declined or refused notice, and six kits were from outside agencies.
On outcomes, Sanchez said 27 cases were sent to the district attorney’s office for charging; 13 resulted in charges and 14 were discharged without convictions as of the report. Commissioners praised the laboratory’s increased capacity and faster turnaround times since earlier backlogs were identified.
