The Fort Worth Police Department has officially announced the ambitious clearance of their backlog of sexual assault kits, marking a significant stride towards upholding justice and community trust. This achievement involves processing 898 kits within six months, necessitating testing and entry into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). After facing delays that surpassed the 90-day requirement for CODIS entry, the additional 190 kits dispatched on Oct. 18, 2024, have since been tested and logged, as detailed in a statement by the City of Fort Worth.
Facing the unyielding challenge head-on, FWPD’s Crime Lab introduced crucial improvements and policy changes, enhancing compliance with mandatory regulations and service standards. With the lab now fully staffed and significant strides made in operational procedures, Fort Worth Chief of Police Neil Noakes proudly declared, "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." In a quote from City of Fort Worth, the chief further emphasized continuing to fight for the victims at every step.
Apart from elevating staff levels from a meager two certified DNA scientists to seven, the Fort Worth Police Department tackled the backlogged kits by adopting clear communication practices. This included keeping victims informed of delays, securing federal grant funds for outsourced testing to private labs, and coordinating with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office to expedite certain processes where legal adjudications made testing redundant. In January 2025, working with the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office allowed the distribution of five kits weekly to their office, thus alleviating FWPD's workload.
