Republicans, Democrats want faster DNA testing

Whereas political leaders are nonetheless bitterly debating one of the simplest ways to reply to high-profile violence in Memphis, Republicans and Democrats each assist extra funding for sooner DNA testing.

Why it issues: Lawmakers say chipping away at lengthy testing lags for rape kits and different DNA proof may assist regulation enforcement determine and apprehend probably harmful suspects extra shortly.

Driving the information: Investigators say there may be DNA proof connecting the person charged with kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher to a September 2021 sexual assault.

• However a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation lab solely examined the proof in June and didn’t obtain the outcomes till August, simply earlier than the kidnapping, per The Tennessean.

Zoom out: The Tennessean reviews TBI crime labs take greater than 34 weeks on common to check sexual assault proof.

Flashback: Final yr, the TBI requested for funding to rent 40 new forensic scientists and 10 administrative positions in forensics. The 2022-23 price range funded half of these positions.

What they’re saying: Home Democratic caucus chair Vincent Dixie stated Friday that funding faster testing turnarounds was a important a part of crime prevention.

• “There are folks out of jail that needs to be in jail,” Dixie added. “Justice is just not being served proper now.”
• Tennessee Home Speaker Cameron Sexton referred to as in depth turnarounds “atrocious,” and stated he would assist extra TBI funding, per Tennessee Lookout. Sexton stated in a press release {that a} committee shaped this month to assessment the felony justice system can be empowered to look into testing occasions.
• U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Invoice Hagerty final week introduced a push for federal funding to deal with and course of a nationwide backlog of rape kits.