Why rape kits can take months to process in Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Some sexual assault victims are ready a very long time for rape check package outcomes to return again from the State.

The wait time can take months, in line with Catherine Oaks with the McNabb Heart in Knoxville.

”Typically, right here in East Tennessee, it’s a median of about eight months to get outcomes from TBI on the DNA from the rape package,” stated Oaks. The processing time varies for various areas.

After nurses on the middle conduct exams, native authorities ship these rape or “sexual assault” exams to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for processing, in line with Oaks.

Why is the processing taking so lengthy? Briefly, the state wants extra individuals to do the job, Keli McAlister with TBI stated

She stated in the latest funds cycle, the TBI requested 40 particular agent/forensic scientist positions to be added to the state’s forensic providers division, which operates the state’s three crime laboratories, they usually had been granted funding for half of these positions.

McAlister additionally stated they’re hoping for extra money to rent extra scientists subsequent 12 months.

From a judicial standpoint, Knox County District Legal professional Charme Allen stated the earlier the outcomes from a sexual assault package come again, the faster instances can go to trial.

”Having precise DNA kits examined and having these outcomes whenever you really go to trial is critically necessary. Juries actually count on nowadays if we’re presenting a rape case to them that we are going to have proof of that. We can have a rape package and the outcomes of that rape package to current to them,” defined Allen.

Within the meantime, there’s now a brand new technique to control the check outcomes: a web-based monitoring system known as SAMS, or sexual assault administration system.

”As soon as we get the sexual assault package, we enter the knowledge. There’s a quantity basically tied to that package, and we give that data to the sufferer. So this is a chance for the sufferer to now have a real-life time of the place their package is at within the course of which is a big deal in comparison with the place it has been,” stated Oaks.

The McNabb Heart has a 24/7 Disaster line for many who are in search of assist at 865-522-7273.

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