2023-10-09 11:15:00
APRIL BAUMGARTEN
The Forum
The North Dakota State Crime Lab has caught up on testing its backlog of hundreds of sexual assault examination kits in one year, Attorney General Drew Wrigley says.
Wrigley told The Forum that additional funding, overtime put in by staff and a new lab director have helped cut the backlog of roughly 270 kits to 80 as of Sept. 1, a level he called “current.”
“They have made tremendous strides,” Wrigley said.
The backlog did not result in cases being dismissed or delayed, but it was at a “red alert” level, Wrigley said.
“There is no question that that backlog was troubling,” he said.
Wrigley said he asked then-State Lab Director Robyn Quinn to address it. Quinn was fired in January for not addressing the backlog, along with other performance issues, Wrigley said.
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Quinn told The Bismarck Tribune that her dismissal was a “witch hunt” because she didn’t support Wrigley’s agenda.
Jennifer Penner, a 20-year veteran with the State Lab, replaced Quinn first as interim director before being given the long-term post a few weeks ago, Wrigley said.
Under new leadership, and with federal funding to help pay for overtime, State Lab technicians worked to cut the backlog, Wrigley said. As of Sept. 1, 26 kits were awaiting final review. Testing was completed on 21, but those kits were awaiting a written report for finalization, he said. Another 10 were in the process of testing, and nine more were in the initial screening phase.
“We are so thankful that funding was secured,” he said, adding that staff worked hard to catch up.
The North Dakota Legislature also allocated funds that allowed the Attorney General’s Office to hire three scientists for the State Lab, as well as two latent fingerprint technicians and two staff for firearms testing. The State Lab hasn’t had firearms testing capabilities for roughly seven years, Wrigley said.
He noted that law enforcement brought up concerns regarding sex assault kit processing and the lack of firearms testing. He brought it up to the Legislature, adding he is grateful lawmakers saw the need for additional staffing.
“The lab has been updated significantly with the boost of personnel,” Wrigley said.
The additional resources have also boosted morale, Wrigley said in noting employee turnover has been significantly reduced.
Processing evidence in a timely manner is important for law enforcement, the court system and victims of crime, Wrigley said. Delays can happen, but solid communications and protocols can make sure testing doesn’t impede investigations, he said.
“It’s an important law enforcement matter,” he said. “The victims of crime deserve to know that these cases are going to be handled in a timely manner.”
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