Florida lab to test 550 Tennessee rape kits with $1.5M grant

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is outsourcing the testing of not less than 550 rape kits to a personal Florida lab by means of a $1.5 million federal grant, the state’s lead investigative company introduced Monday in a transfer aimed toward lowering processing occasions which have drawn scrutiny.

In a information launch, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stated the state awarded a contract to DNA Labs Worldwide in Deerfield Seashore, Florida, after a aggressive bid course of that started in December. The company stated it plans to submit as much as 1,000 rape kits if extra grant funding turns into obtainable by the tip of the 12 months, at a price of $2,155 per equipment.

“With the assistance of the Governor’s administration and the Tennessee Normal Meeting, we’re persevering with to take steps to enhance our Forensic Companies Division,” TBI Director David Rausch stated within the launch. “This outsourcing venture helps us take a right away step, as we proceed to debate longer-term fixes.”

The state’s turnaround occasions for sexual assault kits entered the highlight after the high-profile killing of trainer Eliza Fletcher in September. The person charged with killing Fletcher was charged in a 2021 rape of a unique lady shortly afterward, when the rape equipment from that case was lastly processed.

As of October, the company stated the typical turnaround time for a rape equipment was 43 weeks on the Knoxville lab, 42.4 weeks on the Jackson lab and 32.7 weeks on the Nashville lab.

The company has attributed the delays to staffing woes and low pay that complicates recruiting and retaining scientists, along with different professionals. Funding for brand new workers positions introduced in September and for pay raises is included in Republican Gov. Invoice Lee’s funds proposal, which is working its manner by means of the Legislature. Lawmakers have proposed different modifications, as nicely.

Rausch in September highlighted different plans for the company to scale back turnaround occasions, saying he his intention was to scale back them to eight to 12 weeks for all proof inside a 12 months. Some efforts embrace: providing extra time for lab employees; working the labs on weekends; and contracting with retired TBI employees to assist present coaching so present scientists can shift time spent coaching workers to extra case work.

Lee introduced in September that he and lawmakers have been fast-tracking funding to rent an 25 extra forensic lab positions. The company had requested 40 extra particular agent/forensic scientist positions and 10 extra technicians within the funds that’s now in impact, however Lee and lawmakers initially funded half that quantity. Among the new company lab positions are aimed toward DNA, whereas others are centered on different duties, from toxicology to forensic chemistry.

Beneath the brand new contract, DNA Labs Worldwide will present evaluation and any associated courtroom testimony. TBI scientists should evaluate the outcomes of research for every equipment below FBI tips and, if warranted, will enter ensuing DNA profiles into the Mixed DNA Index System, or CODIS.

TBI stated it was flying 550 kits to the Florida lab on Monday, together with 250 from the Jackson Crime Laboratory, 250 from Knoxville and 50 from Nashville. The Jackson lab processes rape kits from Memphis, the place Fletcher was killed.

Days after Cleotha Henderson was charged with abducting and killing Fletcher, he was indicted within the 2021 rape of one other lady. Memphis police say they took a sexual assault report on Sept. 21, 2021, nevertheless it wasn’t analyzed in a state lab till practically a 12 months later. When the 2021 DNA was entered into the nationwide database, it returned a match for Henderson on Sept. 5.

Fletcher, a mom of two and kindergarten trainer, disappeared on Sept. 2.

TBI stated police in Memphis had made no request for expedited evaluation of the equipment, which might reduce the wait to solely days, and no suspect data was included within the submission.