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October 28, 2016 VO LUM E 1 5 | IS S U E 49 | FREE
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Regional crime lab closer to reality Arapahoe, Douglas and Aurora collaborate to build DNA facility
By Jessica Gibbs jgibbs@coloradocommunitymedia.com In July 2015, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office sent a sexual assault case to the state crime lab for DNA testing. Almost a year later, the sheriff’s office still had not received results. In Arapahoe County, the sheriff’s office submitted two sexual assault cases for analysis
in February 2015, two more the following May, another two that June, and numerous others on a consistent basis since then. None has yet received results from the CBI. The wait for DNA analysis — which data shows can take from four months to more than 1½ years in some cases — has spurred the Douglas and Arapahoe county sheriff’s offices and the Aurora Police Department to pool their resources to build a regional crime lab. “There are not a lot of opportunities to do high-value, re-
gional projects,” Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella said. But the regional crime lab is one because it will serve nearly 1 million people, she said. The combined population of Douglas County and Arapahoe County, where most of Aurora is located, is approximately 900,000. “To pull resources together for a regional project like this is astounding,” Repella said. A nationwide backlog The delay in DNA and other forensic evidence testing is not unique to Colorado.
The National Institute of Justice defines a forensic biology or DNA backlogged case as one that has not been completed within 30 days of receipt, although each independent laboratory has its own definition, according to the institute’s website. Because of this, it is difficult to determine the exact number of backlogged cases throughout the nation. However, data gathered in fiscal year 2010, as state and local units of government applied for funding under the Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program, showed a national backlog of
111,647 DNA cases as of the end of 2009. But the number changes daily, the NIJ reports, as new cases are submitted and closed every day. “Across the country, state labs are overrun,” Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said. “It’s very important that we think about this as a public safety concern.” The need for timely DNA testing is crucial, law enforcement officials say, to furthering investigations and solving cases Lab continues on Page 6
PEACE IN OUR TIME
Local groups want to bring end to violent conflicts on the planet. PAGE 12
TOURNEY TIME Arapahoe advances to state playoff. PAGE 25 All eyes are on the cutting table at the first round of the Texas Roadhouse National Meat Cutting Competition on Oct. 11 at South Suburban Ice Arena, 6580 S. Vine St. Six of about 30 meat cutters will advance to the final round for a chance to win $20,000. Photos by Alex DeWind
A cut above the rest
Meat cutters show their skills at ice arena in first competition round
BRUINS ROLL
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunity
T
he more than 30 men and women — from Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and South Dakota — at the South Suburban Ice Arena weren’t wearing ice skates. Instead they were bundled up and stationed in front of a table with slabs of meat and kitchenware.
Meat cutters are judged on quality, speed and yield to win.
Meat continues on Page 6
Cherry Creek dominates Horizon in league showdown. PAGE 27
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