Nashville is trying to address its backlog of sexual assault kit testing

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Hundreds of Nashville families are still waiting for justice, pinning their hopes on testing sexual assault kits that could lead to arrests.

The city’s Metro Council is taking action to tackle a staggering backlog of more than 720 untested kits, and they’re moving forward with a plan to outsource the work in an effort to speed up the process.

At a Metro Council meeting Thursday, council members recognized the urgency of the situation and approved a resolution to accept a $243,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

This funding will go towards outsourcing the analysis of sexual assault kits, which will help clear the backlog and reduce delays in testing crucial DNA evidence.

Danielle Pyle is not only an advocate for those who have been sexually assaulted, she is also a survivor.

“I had a case that was unfortunately mishandled and resulted in me not being able to find justice – criminal or civil in my case,” Pyle said.

To make matters worse, she said she doesn’t know the status of her rape kit.

“My attack happened in April 2021, and to this day I still don’t know where it is, where it lives, or if anyone has tested it.”

Pyle’s journey has led her to become a powerful advocate for victims’ rights. She is the driving force behind “Danielle’s Law,” a piece of legislation that extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to sexual assault in Tennessee.

But her fight doesn’t end there. She also tries to ensure that no other survivors face the same uncertainty about the fate of their rape kit.

“If we can solve the testing timeline, it will make our city safer,” Pyle said.

Nashville’s backlog dates to the opening of the city’s crime lab in 2015. While Metro Nashville police established the first local forensic biolab, they struggled for years to fill a crucial position in DNA analysis.

The laboratory is currently fully staffed and the backlog is no longer growing. However, the 725 untested cases remain unsolved.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell emphasized that the outsourcing plan would be an important step toward eliminating the backlog.

“We have made progress in increasing staffing at the MNPD lab, but we know that both law enforcement and victims want the process to move faster. This outsourcing effort is intended to complement the work we have already done and focuses on the victims who need answers,” said O’Connell.

The $243,000 grant from the DOJ will fund the outsourcing of these kits for the next two years, with the goal of reducing the time it takes to process and test evidence. Lawmakers hope this will help bring justice to victims and provide crucial information for investigations.

For survivors, this news brings a sense of hope.

“I think it’s phenomenal that the issue of sexual assault kit testing is finally coming to the forefront,” Pyle said. “This is a real problem that can be solved, and I’m glad to see the city taking action to make our city safer.”

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at [email protected].

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