Supervisors approve no-bid contract to assist sheriff in reducing DNA test backlog for sexual assault cases.
Amid a backdrop of unresolved sexual assault cases in San Diego County, the Board of Supervisors has authorized Sheriff Kelly Martinez to pursue a sole-source contract aimed at enhancing DNA testing capabilities within the Sheriff’s Office crime lab. This decision comes as part of a broader effort to address the backlog of unsolved sexual assault cases, cold-case homicides, and unidentified remains, also known as John Doe and Jane Doe cases.
Officials from the Sheriff’s Office have underscored the importance of DNA testing in identifying suspects linked to criminal activities and exonerating those wrongfully accused. They assert that effective DNA analysis contributes significantly to public safety by enabling law enforcement to apprehend potential offenders before further crimes occur.
San Diego County has faced criticism over its management of DNA testing protocols, particularly a history of delays in processing samples from sexual assault cases. Following extensive public scrutiny, District Attorney Summer Stephen revealed in 2021 that significant strides had been made to address the backlog, which had once seen thousands of untested rape kits collected from victims. More than 2,000 kits tested during the initiative yielded 735 separate suspect profiles, including 199 known offenders, with results submitted to the national DNA database, known as CODIS (Combined DNA Index System).
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking approval to spend up to 0,000 on a contract with Verogen, a local biotechnology firm focused on next-generation sequencing (NGS), following its acquisition by the Dutch conglomerate Qiagen. This cutting-edge technology promises expedited processing of DNA tests, providing much-needed efficiency for the regional crime lab, which serves approximately 30 law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
Since the establishment of a modern 156,000-square-foot facility in Kearny Mesa seven years ago, the Sheriff’s Office has grappled with unaddressed sexual assault cases, with officials estimating over 300 unsolved cases dating back to 2018 that could benefit from enhanced DNA testing methods. The Sheriff’s Cold Case Homicide Team has similarly identified 25 cases that may be resolved through NGS.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the no-bid contract during its last meeting, with funding sourced from a U.S. Department of Justice grant. Sheriff’s officials stressed the necessity of acquiring specialized equipment to ensure that forensic procedures align with standardized and validated processes crucial for effective law enforcement operations.
As San Diego County embarks on this initiative to streamline its forensic capabilities, the hope is that technological advancements in DNA testing will play a pivotal role in resolving long-standing cases and restoring justice to victims and their families. Media News Source.
