An October audit showed that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is processing sexual assault kits faster than it was two years ago.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After pressure from lawmakers, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has processed sexual assault kits in about a third of the time compared to just two years ago. However, an October state audit report shows evidence from other crimes is now taking longer to turnaround.
On Monday, TBI Director David Rausch said the agency is processing rape kits in roughly 13 weeks, or roughly six months quicker than it did in 2022. The overall backlog of evidence has also been reduced. Over the past two years, the TBI has added 50 new forensic lab positions.
“It was over 19,000 pieces we had still to process,” Rausch said. “We’re down to just over 10,000 at this point in inventory, so we’ve cut it in half.”
For victim advocates, it’s been a sigh of relief.
“It’s really hard when you’re in that limbo for so long and knowing that the evidence is there and knowing that information is there, but you don’t have anybody to really determine what that means,” Valerie Craig, co-founder of Tennessee Voices for Victims, said.
While the TBI has prioritized rape kits, the audit report also showed that the TBI created longer turnaround times for evidence from violent and non-violent cases. That evidence takes between 30 and 40 weeks to process.
“We’ve had to outsource some evidence to other states, such as Florida, so all that’s concerning. I would hope that we as a state would prioritize this, get funding where we need too.” said Representative John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville). “We all have an interest in reducing crime and getting criminals off the street. So, to better ensure public safety it’s imperative that we process all evidence as fast as possible.”
The audit pointed out that newly-hired staff take about two years to train. However, as more staff comes on board, the audit predicted quicker turnaround times in all crime testing.
“One of the things a victim will say is I just don’t want this to happen to anybody else,” Craig said. “If this doesn’t move forward fast enough, it gives them the opportunity to hurt somebody else.”
Rausch said the overall goal is for the TBI to process the evidence it receives in eight to 12 weeks.