THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS A BACKLOG OF AROUND 36 HUNDRED UNTESTED RAPE EVIDENCE KITS. NEXT WEEK, THE DEPARTMENT BEGINS A MAJOR EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
CHIEF GORDEN EDEN SAYS THREE RETIRED A-P-D INVESTIGATORS ARE BEING BROUGHT IN TO EVALUATE THE KITS. HE SAYS THEY’LL PRIORITIZE THE KITS, AND THOSE WILL BE SENT FOR TESTING.
MORE THAN 300 KITS ARE EXPECTED TO BE TESTED AT A COST OF 200-THOUSAND DOLLARS. A-P-D SAYS THE TOP PRIORITY WILL BE HOMICIDE CASES OR FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES WHERE THE VICTIM WAS UNDER 13.
