Response to OIG Audit of the FBI Laboratory’s Forensic DNA Case Backlog

The following is in response to the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audit interim technical assistance report, “Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory’s Forensic DNA Case Backlog.”

“The FBI appreciates the opportunity to review and respond to the audit interim technical assistance report entitled, "Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory's Forensic DNA Case Backlog" (hereinafter "Report").

“We are pleased the Report acknowledges the FBI’s work on the offender backlog. The FBI has in seven months dramatically reduced the offender backlog from its December 2009 peak of 312,000 samples to a current backlog of approximately 102,000 samples. We are on track to eliminate the remaining backlog entirely by September of this year. The FBI shifted vital Laboratory resources from casework to address the massive growth of offender samples following legislative changes in 2001, 2004, and 2005.

“Although resources have not kept pace with the casework demands, we have pursued other strategies to address this issue. We are making progress on the backlog: over the last five months, the backlog of nuclear DNA cases has dropped. The FBI Laboratory has made great strides toward eliminating the offender backlog and we intend to apply the same knowledge and experience to the successful elimination of the forensic DNA case backlog.

“Based upon a review of the Report, the FBI concurs with the five interim recommendations directed to the FBI. The FBI appreciates the professionalism exhibited by the OIG to complete this interim Report and we look forward to the continuation of this audit.

“Forensic DNA analysis has proven to be invaluable to the law enforcement community, and the victims of violent crimes and their families. The FBI Laboratory remains fully committed to the elimination of its DNA backlogs and will continue to strive to improve its timely support to the law enforcement and intelligence communities while maintaining the highest standards of quality.”