PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
DNA testing at the state lab is taking too long, according to the Portland City Auditor.
A recent audit found only about 30 percent of Portland's samples are being tested at the state crime lab within the 30-day national guideline.
The average is 56 days.
The audit also found there are hundreds, perhaps a thousand, different DNA samples that are stored in evidence that haven't even been submitted to the lab.
"The results of the audit is not welcomed, but it does point out it's a funding issue," said Assistant Police Chief Eric Hendricks.
"These dedicated crime lab employees, like many other government agencies, suffer from a lack of funding over the years."
Hendricks says he's not surprised by the city auditor's findings. He says in perfect world, every DNA sample would be processed immediately, but when the lab is faced with limited resources and an ever widening case load, that's simply not possible.
The state crime lab DNA department has 11 full-time workers.
The state lab says they recognize the growing backlog in its work, and say the solution to improve DNA turnaround time is to increase funding and add resources.
Administrators also say the lab will prioritize casework so that crimes with human victims get processed quicker than property crimes.
Hendricks says despite the audit, they still have every bit of confidence in work performed by the crime lab.
"When we need the work done, we call them and they get it done as quickly as their resources allow," said Hendricks.
The city auditor asked the Portland Police Bureau to provide them with a status report in one year, with the steps taken to address concerns in their report.
Police Chief Mike Reese says their first step will likely be to seek additional federal grants to speed up DNA testing.
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