Clearing out DNA backlog

The City Council voted Wednesday to hire 10 LAPD criminalists and spend $377,000 to contract with outside firms to help process a stubborn backlog of DNA rape kits. Daily News.

The hiring of the criminalists had gotten caught up in the system of fiscal checks and balances imposed during the city's budget crisis - red tape that frustrated City Council members.

"We made a policy decision and voted unanimously on it last year," Councilwoman Janice Hahn complained. "This is one of those, `What the hell happened?' moments. This is a crime against women. At its core, there are criminals out there and we have the evidence to convict them - if it gets processed."