Oregon State Police (OSP) is currently facing a renewed challenge with a backlog of untested rape kits, a situation that officials and lawmakers had previously aimed to resolve. According to KATU, the backlog includes fewer than a thousand "sexual assault forensics evidence kits" or "SAFE kits." Oregon had previously championed measures not just to monitor but also to process these kits on time, particularly through HB 4049, passed in 2018, which mandated reporting on the status of the kits to legislators.
As recent data pointed to a growing pile-up, the reassurance that past backlogs had been eradicated was highlighted. As reported by Oregon Live, some lawmakers were caught off guard upon learning that the backlog, currently at 810 kits, had been silently accumulating over the years. Senator Sara Gelser Blouin, who originally sponsored Melissa's Law with the intent to clear the backlog, expressed her shock via KGW: "It completely took me by surprise, I had been under the impression we had cleared the backlog, we were one of the first states to clear the backlog, and we had been celebrated nationally for that."
The onset of the backlog can be traced to as early as 2021, with staff shortages and pandemic-related disruptions contributing significantly to the mounting number of unprocessed kits. Despite these challenges, there are indications of progress with the backlog reducing over the past three months. To address the issue, OSP has employed new lab technicians, with spokesperson Captain Kyle Kennedy expressing confidence in the backlog's continued decline. "It is our responsibility as legislators to follow these things, passing a bill is just the first part," Gelser Blouin told KGW, emphasizing the necessity of diligent oversight following legislative action.
Looking forward, OSP has a scheduled testimonial for lawmakers during the upcoming legislative days. The focus of the session will be to critically evaluate and generate discourse on the high-priority situation of the rape kit backlog.
