Houston police reviewing if DNA tests could have helped in thousands of dropped cases

The Houston Police Department (HPD) is currently conducting a thorough review to determine if the implementation of DNA testing in connection with approximately 4,000 sexual assault and sex crime cases that were dropped over the past eight years could have potentially led to the identification of suspects and subsequent arrests. These cases, which account for a significant portion of the more than 264,000 incident reports that were never submitted for investigation, were assigned an internal code indicating a lack of available personnel.

During a press conference held on Thursday, HPD officials shared details about the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the importance of revisiting these cases to explore any potential leads that may have been overlooked due to limited resources at the time. The sexual assault cases under review span from 2014 to 2022, and the scope of the investigation extends beyond these incidents, as HPD is also examining other types of crimes where DNA evidence may be relevant.

The Houston Police Department's decision to reexamine these cases comes after a recent audit revealed the existence of the large number of unsubmitted incident reports. The audit, conducted by the city's Office of Inspector General, highlighted the need for HPD to address the backlog of untested rape kits and prioritize the processing of new evidence.

The HPD's Major Offenders Unit is currently responsible for managing the review process, which involves reopening the cases, collecting any available evidence, and submitting it for DNA analysis. Once the results are obtained, investigators will follow up on any leads generated by the testing, potentially leading to the identification and apprehension of suspects.

The implementation of DNA testing in these cases is expected to provide valuable insights, as it may help connect crimes committed by the same offender, even if the incidents occurred at different times or locations. This approach has been successful in other jurisdictions, leading to the resolution of cold cases and the identification of serial offenders.

The Houston Police Department acknowledges the importance of bringing closure to victims and their families, as well as ensuring public safety by apprehending offenders. The department is committed to working diligently to process the backlogged cases and provide updates to victims and their families as new information becomes available.

In conclusion, the Houston Police Department is currently reviewing thousands of sexual assault and sex crime cases that were dropped due to staffing issues over the past eight years, with the goal of determining if DNA testing could potentially lead to the identification of suspects and possible arrests. The department is committed to addressing the backlog of untested evidence and providing updates to victims and their families as new information becomes available.