MADISON… Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) today announced that crime victims are one step closer to swifter justice now that the Joint Finance Committee has approved enough analysts to eliminate the state crime lab’s DNA case backlog. The 31 new crime lab analyst positions were created as a part of the budget repair bill, which passed out of the legislature’s budget-writing committee this evening. Darling has been a strong advocate for giving the Department of Justice the resources to get rid of its case backlog.
“Public safety is at risk when there is a delay in the work that helps law enforcement solve cases and identify offenders before more people are victimized,” said Darling. “We took an important step toward making Wisconsin a safer place today.”
Attorney General JB Van Hollen estimated it will take 31 new analysts to eliminate the backlog at the state’s crime lab. Governor Jim Doyle originally only pledged 15 new analysts.
The 1,900 DNA case backlog is particularly distressing for residents of Darling’s Senate District, who live in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties. 58% of the crime lab’s backlogged cases are from crimes committed in these four counties.
“Crime is a growing concern for the people in my Senate District and I am committed to doing what it takes to make sure criminals are behind bars,” said Darling.
Darling said the current backlog is unacceptable because it puts the lives of victims on hold as they wait for justice and it allows lawbreakers to remain on the street to commit more crimes. She said eliminating the crime lab backlog is one of her top crime-fighting priorities for the legislative session.
The budget repair bill now must pass both houses of the legislature and be signed into law by the Governor.
