Audit: OSP crime labs struggle with growing caseloads

A backlog of untested forensic evidence at the Oregon State Police’s five crime laboratories has increased 90 percent since 2005, to about 3,700 cases. The Forensics Division must improve its efficiency to help reduce this backlog, according to a new audit released Tuesday by Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins.

The audit found that increased demand for testing, challenges in staffing, and inefficient practices likely contributed to the backlog of cases. The division also can do a better job of strategic planning, including continuing to plan for future increases in workload, the auditors said.

“The safety of Oregonians depends on the important work performed by our crime laboratories,” Atkins said. “Crime victims and the criminal justice community rely on the timely testing of evidence. We hope these audit recommendations will guide the OSP Forensics Division as they work on improving efficiencies and delivering justice to Oregonians.”

The audit examined data produced by the crime laboratory and found the average turnaround time of evidence testing to be 65 days. This puts the turnaround time well above the National Institute of Justice’s definition for a backlog as any case older than 30 days.

“Delays in crime laboratory testing can delay criminal investigations, which is a serious concern. This audit was undertaken so we could better understand the factors contributing to the growing backlog of work in the OSP Forensics Division,” said Audits Division Director Gary Blackmer.

While the Forensics Division has taken measures to improve efficiency in casework, the audit recommends additional strategies to improve the flow of casework and eliminate duplication in work processes. These could help the crime laboratories work additional cases.

The audit also examined efforts by the crime laboratory to develop a comprehensive strategic plan, including preparing for potential increases to its workload, such as those resulting from post-conviction DNA testing or recently inventoried sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kits.

While these efforts are a good start, the report also recommends ways to improve strategic planning efforts, including making better use of data to manage current workload and anticipating needed resources associated with increased workloads.

The OSP has crime labs in Bend, Central Point, Clackamas, Pendleton and Springfield.

Read an executive summary of the audit on the Secretary of State’s Audits Division Blog.