Who’s Testing APD’s Backlog of Evidence?

“Everything is on hold”

"...DNA cases since the June shutdown of the department's forensics lab, and very little evidence has been tested in..."

Feb. 24, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Rape Kit Backlog Reaches Zero

Kits have been sent out for testing, but the wait continues

"...The Austin Police Department’s notorious rape kit backlog is no more. Dana Kadavy, executive director of the..."

April 9, 2018 News Post by Sarah Marloff

The Cost of Clearing the Rape Kit Backlog

APD agrees to fund SAFE kit testing through pre-existing funds

"...The Austin Police Department further committed to clearing its backlog of sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) kits, telling City..."

Sept. 16, 2016 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

APD Asks City Council for Financial Help With DNA Testing

And more news from the dais

"...firms – local Signature Science and Virginia's Bode Cellmark Forensics – have been tapped to test the bulk of..."

April 26, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Audits Ahead for APD Crime Labs

Forensics lab to onboard new director, plus SARRT letter

"...Finally, a full year after the Austin Police Department..."

July 17, 2017 News Post by Sarah Marloff

The Cost of Clearing the Rape Kit Backlog

APD agrees to fund SAFE kit testing through pre-existing funds

"...The Austin Police Department further committed to clearing its backlog of sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kits, telling City..."

Sept. 13, 2016 News Post by Chase Hoffberger

Why Is Art Acevedo Back Overseeing APD?

City manager picks controversial former chief as top deputy

"...Art Acevedo, a controversial former chief of the Austin..."

Jan. 19, 2024 News Post by Brant Bingamon

Finally, Forensics Flies Free From APD

Council approves “decoupling” of police crime lab

"...city of Austin has finally created a new independent Forensic Science Department – outside the control of APD, with..."

Feb. 10, 2021 News Post by Austin Sanders

Progress Being Made at APD Crime Lab

Number of untested rape kits continues to fall

"...being made toward clearing the Austin Police Department’s extensive backlog of untested rape kits...."

Aug. 7, 2017 News Post by Sarah Marloff

Rape Kit Backlog Cleared: Now What?

Advocates still uncertain of what’s being done with the results

"...that the Austin Police Department has tested its entire backlog of rape kits – a number that ballooned to..."

Nov. 16, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Rape Kit Backlog Threatens Justice for Survivors

Closed DNA lab delays already strained system

"...lab back in June has been especially troubling (see "APD's DNA Lab Shut­ters," June 17). The facility, which closed..."

Aug. 12, 2016 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

APD Shuts Down Effort to Reopen Crime Lab

Interim Chief Manley: "We recognize the failure in our lab. We're taking responsibility, and pushing forward."

"...development in what's been a disastrous six months for APD and its DNA lab, which closed in June after..."

Dec. 23, 2016 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

APD's DNA Lab Shutters

Department must change its operating procedures

"...brought the lab under the scrutiny of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, it will need to outsource any new..."

June 17, 2016 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

APD’s New Unit to Tackle Rape Kit Backlog

Four detectives will be assigned to the new crew

"...Testing results from the city's rape kit backlog are finally beginning to come in. On Tuesday, interim..."

May 26, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

APD’s Backed Up DNA Backlog

The department still holds evidence from 3,294 sexual assault cases

"...told the Public Safety Commission on Monday that the forensics unit he's overseen since late December still holds evidence..."

Feb. 10, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

APD Knew About Moldy Rape Kits Back in April

Moldy rape kits a problem for prosecution, defense, survivors

"...in that refrigerator. Signature Science – the local lab APD contracted to analyze incoming and backlogged DNA evidence after..."

July 7, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Progress Being Made at APD Crime Lab

Number of untested rape kits continues to fall

"...Progress at APD Crime Lab..."

Aug. 11, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

DPS to Charge for Forensic Work

Policy to go into effect on Sept. 1

"...Public Safety will begin charging law enforcement agencies for forensic analysis services. The agency announced on July 20 that..."

July 28, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Quote of the Week: Brian Manley

The police chief on reports that Signature Science found mold on the boxes of hundreds of APD rape kits

"...– APD Chief Brian Manley on Tuesday, after a Statesman report..."

June 30, 2017 News Column

The Future of Austin’s Crime Lab

The backlog of DNA evidence is moving, but is it shrinking?

"...News of the shutdown prompted the #EndtheBacklog campaign, a coordinated effort by sexual assault advocates who..."

Dec. 2, 2016 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Sexual Assault Advocates Demand Answers for Rape Kit Negligence

Group pens letter to mayor, police chief, city manager

"...Disconcerting reports about the current status of APD’s ever-growing rape kit backlog has prompted Travis County’s Sexual..."

March 1, 2017 News Post by Sarah Marloff

Budget Games

As the economy improves, Council looks toward next year's budget

"...of the Austin Police Department's sudden need for additional forensic analysts. Council members had been pressing APD Chief Art..."

Feb. 22, 2013 News Feature by Michael King

“A Victim-Centered Process” for Solving Sex Crimes

APD's new sexual assault cold case unit is up and running

"...review incoming results from the city's massive rape kit backlog as processed kits return from outsourced labs. Interim APD..."

June 2, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Council: Don't Say I Told You So

FY 2017 budget passes after a three-day marathon

"...with a list of her priorities (EMS staffing, the APD forensic lab, among others). "I need to reemphasize that..."

Sept. 16, 2016 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

DNA Lab to Reopen?

Council will consider a plan to hand over APD's lab to DPS

"...with the Department of Public Safety that would reopen APD’s crime lab after nearly a year of inactivity...."

March 16, 2017 News Post by Sarah Marloff

Council: In the Shadow of the Dome

When "Austin values" clash with state Republican control?

"...• Forensic Backlog: APD continues its effort to reduce the distressing..."

Feb. 9, 2018 News Feature by Michael King

Why Aren’t UT Students Getting Rape Kits?

The numbers don't add up

"...meetings with stakeholder groups, UT began providing sexual assault forensic exams to student survivors of rape. It was a..."

March 30, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Austin’s Sexual Assault Controversies Roil the District Attorney’s Race

Margaret Moore's controversial handling of rape cases brings opponents to the race

"...the treatment of survivors, bringing together advocates, law enforcement, forensic nurses, and legal entities. Across the country, SARRT groups..."

Feb. 7, 2020 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Signs of Optimism at Troubled Crime Lab

Continued efforts aim to right past wrongdoings at the DNA lab

"...discovered a mold-like substance growing on 849 of their backlogged kits in April. But the crime lab saga is..."

Sept. 15, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Painful Splits Along the Way to Stopping Sexual Assault in and Around Austin

Different approaches to accountability lead to rifts throughout the county

"...In the quest to find justice for local rape..."

March 15, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

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