Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) recognized the Haslam administration for funding three new forensic scientists at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) in next year's budget. The TBI processes forensic evidence at no charge to local law enforcement.
"These funds will expedite the processing of rape kits and other DNA testing by providing additional essential personnel. They will be trained in accessing and updating the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) which is part of the FBI's network for tracking perpetrators of crime -- a critical weapon in the fight against crime," said Senator Norris, who sponsors the budget in the Senate.
Senator Norris enacted the law repealing the Tennessee statute of limitations in rape cases last year. He also led the effort to require all local law enforcement agencies to inventory back-logged inventories of rape kits across the state. Last September, the TBI reported 9,062 kits remained untested statewide.
"Progress is being made getting the old evidence tested, but this will help facilitate more timely testing of all DNA evidence," said Senator Norris.
The TBI has not received funding for new personnel for many years, even though the demand for more resources has increased dramatically.
According to city of Memphis officials, an initial backlog of 12,000 kits has now been reduced by nearly 5,000 kits since 2013 and has resulted in some 170 new investigations and 52 indictments including 19 rapists.