State Crime Lab Completes 1,300 Backlogged Sexual Assault Kits LITTLE ROCK

State Crime Lab Completes 1,300 Backlogged Sexual Assault Kits

LITTLE ROCK

– A backlog of 1,300 sexual assault kits were given to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to be analyzed back in 2015.

Now the process is complete.

The results show of the 1,300 kits, 179 had DNA already in the crime lab system. The DNA could be from other cases, or from samples taken from felons or other arrestees, according to Cindy Moran, the Assistant Director for the Crime Lab.

'That was a really heavy burden on us to not only work these older sexual assault kits but also try to keep up with current case work at the same time,' Moran said.

The 179 cases with identified DNA helped reveal two serial sex offenders out of Little Rock.

'We've given that information to law enforcement and then it's their job to then investigate,' Moran said.

Of the two individuals identified by DNA, one is dead, the other is in prison on unrelated charges.

Since Little Rock Police are now adding new evidence to the old cases, they won't release the identity of the suspects. New charges could still be added.

According to RAINN, if DNA evidence leads to the identification of an offender, then there is no statute of limitations, even though some cases are almost 15 years old.

Now the State Crime Lab can breathe a sigh of relief. 'We're going to be able to focus on current cases. Get cases turned around quicker,' Moran said. “That's going to be good for everybody.'

To help this backlog problem not happen again, new sexual assault kits distributed by the crime lab have bar codes on them to allow victims to track their kits.

***

Newest Jonesboro Restaurant Sets Opening Date

JONESBORO – Local diners who don’t mind a little drive for a new dining experience will want to take note.

One of Jonesboro's newest restaurants has set their open date, along with a host of prizes for the “diehards.”

Chicken Salad Chick announced on their Facebook page, that Monday, Nov. 5 would be their opening day. The store announced prizes for people who stand in line, they're holding an all-day drawing for prizes, as well as several other events throughout the opening week.