FBI reduces DNA case backlog

According to an audit conducted by the Inspector General Office at the U.S. Department of Justice, the total forensic DNA case backlog at the Federal Bureau of Investigation has decreased significantly.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s crime lab has reduced its backlog of DNA cases down to 403, from more than 3,200 in 2010.

The audit found that the decrease in the FBI Laboratory’s forensic DNA case backlog can be primarily attributed to automation efforts and additional personnel in the Nuclear DNA Unit.

The Nuclear DNA Unit’s backlog decreased from 2,722 cases in March 2010 to 110 cases as of March 2012, thus effectively eliminating the backlog. The 110 cases in the Nuclear DNA Unit as of March 2012 are now considered a monthly work-in-process. The Justice Department considers the effective elimination of the backlog by the Nuclear DNA Unit as a significant achievement.

The Mitochondrial DNA Unit’s backlog decreased from 489 cases in March 2010 to 293 cases as of March 2012.

Article Topics

dna  |  FBI  |  forensics  |  government