Example video title will go here for this video
SAN ANTONIO — New DNA-processing machines at the Bexar County Criminal Investigations Laboratory promise to speed up rape kit analysis, which currently takes months to complete.
A nurse typically collects a sexual assault evidence kit immediately after a victim comes forward. However, because of a growing backlog, rape kits submitted for analysis in Bexar County today likely would not generate results for six to nine months.
Analysts hope to cut that turnaround down to 90 days using new robots that automatically locate and extract DNA from rape kits.
"By making this step more efficient and better, we're better able to turn around the cases and get results back to law enforcement agencies and to other stakeholders," said Robert Sailors, a forensic scientist with the county.
Forensic scientists had previously sifted through the evidence by hand, using chemicals to detect male DNA. Manual extraction could take analysts up to two days, Sailors said.
"Now, that can be started in the morning and you could have results by lunchtime," he added.
Bexar County commissioners spent $167,000 on the four new machines. Two robots identify and separate male DNA from other genetic material, while the other two robots effectively clean the evidence to streamline vital analysis.
Instead of extracting and cleaning DNA by hand, forensic scientists will now spend more time analyzing raw data.
The faster processing method will benefit victims, people wrongly accused of sexual assault and investigators.
"We just want faster results," Sailors said. "It's a public safety issue."
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members.
Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings.