More than 7,000 pieces of evidence remains untested at Tennessee Bureau of Investigation crime labs according to a report from the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations .
The June report warns that the current volume of crimes is outpacing the speed at which forensic scientists can process DNA and other crucial evidence for investigators.
The advisory committee is recommending a major expansion of the state’s forensic infrastructure. The proposed plan includes the expansion of existing crime labs in Nashville, Jackson, and Knoxville, along with the development of a smaller lab in Chattanooga.
Currently, TBI reports that its average turnaround time for testing sexual assault kits is under 15 weeks. But with the state’s population on the rise and violent crimes increasing, officials say expanded lab capacity is essential to keep up with demand and reduce delays.
