The Colorado Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) Forensic Services Section is facing a historic backlog as it relates to its DNA discipline, with the driving factor being the significant impact of the Woods investigation on operations. In addition to detailing the plan to utilize existing (and proposed supplemental roll forward authority) funding to reduce the current backlog of sexual assault kits, and other long-term solutions, this page will serve as the landing spot for details and updates in one location.
Sex Assault Turnaround Time Dashboard
Sexual Assault Testing Plan Updates
- Latest information on casework and turnaround time can be found on the dashboard at the top of the page.
- CBI is securing contracts with vendors and plans to send the first 100 backlogged cases out for testing in April.
CBI Scientist Training Overview & Hiring Updates
- It takes 1-2 years to train a forensic scientist. Training DNA scientists take approximately 2 years.
- Current Staffing Status:
- Currently 16 DNA Scientists working cases
- CBI has 15 DNA scientists in training. 10 of those will complete training in 2025. Remaining 5 will complete testing in mid-2026
- Hiring process to fill 8 additional DNA scientist positions in the hiring process.
Accountability
- Sex Assault Turnaround Time Dashboard–See above
- Forward Resolutions–The CBI has contracted with a Wisconsin consulting firm to assess its forensic services and operations. The team is conducting interviews, reviewing policies, assessing operations, and surveying lab employees and stakeholders. The goal is to produce a report that assesses whether CBI is adhering to industry best practices and provides recommendations for improvements. Forward Resolutions was one of five organizations to bid for the contract, and its proposal stood out by offering a comprehensive assessment plan and the fastest turnaround, promising to deliver results within 85 working days.
- CBI Forensic Services Committee–Governor Polis issued Executive Order B 2024 002 creating the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Forensic Services Committee as part of the Governor’s continued efforts to make Colorado one of the top ten safest states. The Committee’s work will foster collaboration between a number of stakeholders and communities by providing a forum to discuss issues, concerns, and oversight related to forensic services provided by CBI.
FAQ's
- How soon will the CBI be able to reduce the DNA backlog?
CBI anticipates the backlog will start shrinking in July of 2025 and each month thereafter. We will post updates if there are challenges associated with the plan.
- How long will it take for CBI to reach its turnaround goal of 90 days?
CBI believes it will be able to process DNA Sex Assault kits and return the findings to detectives in 90-days by Spring of 2027.
- If there was no Backlog, how long would it take to process sex assault kits?
Given the complexity of this work the process takes a minimum of 4-6 weeks to process sex assault kits. But CBI receives nearly 100 new evidence kits every month which means it’s unrealistic to produce results in 4-6 weeks. The state bench mark for turn around times is 180 days but CBI’s goal is to maintain a 90-day average.
- Will CBI always need to outsource some of its sex assault kits to private labs?
No. CBI expects to outsource about 1,000 evidence kits (out of the 1,400 in the backlog) to private labs from the Spring of 2025 to the Spring of 2026. At that point, CBI should be in a position to process all of the kits it receives without outside help. CBI will continually monitor submissions relative to our testing capacity and proactively address increasing demands.
- At what point will all of the 1,400 evidence kits currently (as of March 2025) in the backlog be tested?
All of the kits currently waiting to be tested, should be processed by the end of 2025.
- How can victims know the status of their kit?
Victims should remain in contact with the detective assigned to their case. Law Enforcement detectives are the point of contact who will have the most up to date information on the status of a victim’s evidence kit.