The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has made the decision to no longer rely on the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for DNA testing, citing ongoing issues with a backlog of sexual assault forensic exams. Sheriff Curtis Johnson announced in a letter to CBI director Chris Shaefer that the agency will now be sending genetic material and other evidence to the Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory.
In the letter, Sheriff Johnson expressed his desire to maintain a strong working relationship with CBI, but acknowledged the challenges the bureau has been facing with DNA analysis and sexual assault kit processing times. The decision to switch to the Jefferson County lab comes as a response to the extended wait times for processing incoming sexual assault forensic exams, which are currently averaging more than 500 days at CBI.
The bureau has stated that they are working to reduce turnaround times by half within the next year, ultimately aiming to bring the wait for tests down to 90 days. This effort is being supported by additional funds allocated by Colorado lawmakers. The backlog at CBI has been attributed to the reexamination of DNA testing conducted by former lab analyst Yvonne “Missy” Woods, who was recently charged with 102 felonies for mishandling DNA testing in numerous criminal cases.
While the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office will now rely on the Jefferson County lab for DNA testing, they will continue to utilize CBI for other services such as toxicology, fire debris analysis, explosive testing, gunshot residue testing, and trace testing. CBI has emphasized their commitment to maintaining the integrity and accuracy of their testing services.
It is important to note that the operational decisions of other agencies may vary, but both the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and CBI are dedicated to ensuring the proper handling and analysis of forensic evidence. Sign up to receive crime news updates directly to your inbox each day for the latest developments in this ongoing issue.
