Oregon untested rape kits numbers quadruple in past 2 years

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon officials say the number of untested rapes kits have quadrupled over the past two years despite efforts to process them faster.

The Statesman Journal reports half of the 2,800 untested rape kits sent to Utah last year have been processed, but that work was not enough to put the state back on track. Oregon State Police reported a backlog of 884 newly submitted assault forensic evidence kits as of April.

Marion County Deputy District Attorney Katie Suver says the increase might be due to a new state law which requires all untested kits, even those prepared years ago, be tested.

Oregon lawmakers set aside $1.5 million to hire nine crime lab analysts. Public Information Officer Bill Fugate says the new analysts will complete their training by the end of December.