Interacting With Crime Laboratories

Causes of Backlog

Investigative Backlog

Common reasons for an investigative backlog (a backlog in the submission process of collected evidence) include:^1,6

• Lack of resources or manpower
• Lack of training or knowledge of forensic DNA analysis
• Inexperienced investigators
• Lack of departmental guidelines
• Staff turnover within detective units

Click the image to the right to visit DNA.gov: What Every Law Enforcement officer Should Know About DNA Evidence for free online training in DNA collection by first responders at crime scenes.

¹ Mark Nelson, Making Sense of DNA Backlogs, 2010 — Myths vs. Reality NIJ Special Report (2011) PDF download: 1.1MB • Visit the National Criminal Justice Reference System »
⁶ Nancy Ritter, Solving the Problem of Untested Evidence In Sexual Assaults NIJ Special Report (2011) PDF download: 172kB