Chief presents latest update on Crime Lab sexual assault kit backlog

Chief presents latest update on Crime Lab sexual assault kit backlog

Published on November 05, 2024

During today's City of Fort Worth work session, Police Chief Neil Noakes provided an update about the Fort Worth Police Department's (FWPD) Crime Lab. This was an update from the last presentation at work session on Oct. 22. Chief Noakes and FWPD remain committed to addressing the sexual assault kits backlog, ensuring the integrity of testing and thorough case completion.

Why it matters: As of Nov. 4, the current number of overdue cases in the system is 708, down from 898 on Oct. 11.

• Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office (TCME) has agreed to assist, but due to technical restrictions, they can only assist with new cases. A contract is currently being evaluated between the City and TCME.
• 30 detectives have been making phone calls to each victim with backlogged sexual assault kits/cases to provide updates. Phone calls should be completed by Wednesday Nov. 6, for cases with unknown suspects.

With the new protocol, victims will be contacted for any delay in testing. The detective on that case will note the contact confirmation in the case notes. This change has already been added to the policy.

What's new: The Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM) has also been included in the process to oversee and monitor the lab's progress.

In the search for forensic scientists, a job posting was promoted on all FWPD social media channels and LinkedIn. Crime Lab updates are available on the FWPD home page.

What's next: The department will continue to report progress to the City Manager's Office and City Council. The following steps are also planned:

• Weekly meetings with the City's Legal Department and OPOM on the progress of processing the sexual assault kits.
• Finalize an incentive payment schedule with Human Resources for the forensic scientist positions.
• Finalize the contract with TCME.
• Set up interviews with the forensic scientist applicants and finalize the plan to train them quickly and efficiently based on incoming experience levels.
• FWPD will continue to work with the FWLab to engage a vendor for a comprehensive, independent audit and benchmarking study for the Crime Lab, which will ensure the highest standards are maintained for transparency and efficiency.
• The department will complete phone calls to victims, continue to evaluate the timelines to eliminate the backlog of outstanding cases and look for contract employees to enter DNA samples into CODIS.

For more information and background on the Crime Lab, visit the FWPD homepage.

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Tagged as:

• Community Safety