The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) Crime Laboratory reinforces its commitment to the community by officially clearing the 2024 sexual assault kit backlog.
Within six months, the crime lab successfully eliminated a backlog of 898 sexual assault kits. Those kits were tested, but also required Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) entry. The entire process has been completed.
On Oct. 18, 2024, 190 additional kits were mailed out for testing. Although these kits exceeded the 90-day requirement for CODIS entry while awaiting results, their testing and entry have since been completed, bringing the department to full compliance with all state requirements.
In addition to clearing the backlog, the Crime Lab now has the necessary staff to process all sexual assault kits. It has implemented policy changes that support continued compliance with state and federal requirements and the City of Fort Worth's standards.
The FWPD and Lab staff took proactive steps to drive lasting improvements and ensure sustainability. Through strategic partnerships and increased staffing, they successfully eliminated the backlog and brought the department into compliance with the state's 90-day submission requirement. Their implementation of key process improvements played a critical role in resolving the issue.
- Compassionate communication with victims to provide case updates.
- The updated policy requires detectives to notify victims of any delays in processing their kits and to document the communication in their case notes.
- Secured Federal grant funding to outsource testing to private labs, which expedited turnaround times
- Outsourced an ongoing $686K Federal Grant that the department receives yearly.
- Utilized $349K in Crime Control Prevention Division (CCPD) funding for testing and to initiate a benchmark study of the entire Crime Lab.
- Addressed staffing shortages by hiring highly qualified and certified individuals to fill long vacant positions.
- The primary cause of the backlog was the lack of certified staff to perform CODIS review and entry, given that the department only had two certified DNA scientists on staff in 2024 to review and enter the CODIS information
- The Lab currently employs seven individuals qualified to perform the DNA entry function in the Lab. All new hires have prior experience and are progressing through the required FBI Quality Assurance Standards training program.
- Collaborated with City leadership to offer enhanced incentives, including performance-based bonuses for meeting key backlog reduction targets.
- To improve recruitment for difficult-to-hire positions, new-hire DNA analysts received a $5K sign-on bonus.
- To improve the retention of Lab employees, an 8.5% pay increase for forensic scientists was approved in December 2024.
- Created streamlined testing priorities
- In collaboration with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, cases where testing was no longer necessary were removed from the backlog (e.g., suspect pled guilty).
- Reassessed DNA submissions across divisions, which led to the prioritization of sexual assault kits and determined that 180 DNA submissions were for property crimes.
- Collaborated with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office (TCME)
- 50 cases were reassigned to DPS Crime Lab (Austin) to complete ownership review and CODIS entry.
- In January 2025, TMCE agreed to process five new sexual assault kits per week, which allowed FWPD to focus on the backlog.
Additionally, FWPD improved internal and external communications to assist with transparency and consistency through the effort.
“Clearing a backlog of this size was not just about meeting a target – it was about restoring trust with our community, delivering justice, and proving that victims’ voices matter. This team implemented real change to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said Fort Worth Chief of Police Neil Noakes. “My message to every victim is this: The Fort Worth Police Department is committed, accountable, and will continue to fight for you every step of the way.”
Future Improvements and Sustainability
Of the $349K CCPD funding, the Fort Worth City Council approved $100K for a benchmark study with Forensic Analysis, Consulting, and Training LLC, or FACT, to evaluate the Fort Worth Crime Lab, identify process improvements, and ensure best practices are in place.
FWPD is transitioning to in-house processing to enhance efficiency, accountability, and continuity:
- Continue to outsource sexual assault kits until newly hired personnel are FBI-certified
- Once new employees are FBI-certified, they will be trained to handle sexual assault kits internally, thus eliminating the need to outsource
- The primary objective is to have a single forensic scientist manage each kit from start to finish, ensuring continuity and accountability throughout the process.
The department is committed to maintaining compliance, improving efficiency, and ensuring justice for victims. Leadership and staff acknowledge the profound challenges these tragic incidents present. They are dedicated to supporting all victims with the essential resources, justice, and compassion they deserve throughout their recovery journey.
Republished courtesy of FWPD