Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with the city of Fort Worth, Texas for Austin to provide forensic technical review of a limited number of backlogged Fort Worth Police Department Sexual Assault Kit DNA reports still requiring timely review and potential entry into the national criminal justice DNA database-system utilized by law enforcement, and for Fort Worth to pay certain associated costs. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.
De
Lead Department
Forensic Science Department.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
For More Information:
Dana Kadavy, Director, Forensic Science Department at 512-974-5118.
Additional Backup Information:
At the request of the Fort Worth (FTW) Police Department, the City of Austin Forensic Science Department will provide timely review of an estimated fifty Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) DNA reports for potential entry of DNA data into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the federally-maintained DNA database-system utilized by all levels of law enforcement nationwide and across the State of Texas, including the Austin Police Department. Pursuant to the City's continued commitment to improved sexual assault response, the Forensic Science Department has successfully maintained timely DNA analysis of SAKs and prevention of any SAK backlog for the past five years, and is in a position to help FTW with its significant backlog of CODIS reviews of SAK DNA reports.
In the spirit of good will, partnership, and mutual interest in the pursuit of justice, the City's Forensic Science Department will perform a limited number of SAK DNA report reviews and subsequent CODIS entries for eligible profiles for FTW. This effort aims to bring swifter justice for survivors of sexual assault throughout the State of Texas and enhance the power of the CODIS database for law enforcement agencies nationwide. This limited effort will not negatively impact the City's ability to address timely its SA...
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