Prosecutor wants more money to clean up rape kit backlog

The prosecutor in Ohio's largest county says he needs extra personnel to more quickly clear a backlog of rape cases awaiting DNA testing at the state lab, reported the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty told the county council that the eight additional investigators and one victim advocate he needs will cost taxpayers about $600,000 a year.

McGinty says that with the extra people, the task force will be able to clear the backlog by February 2017 — rather than the projected completion date of September 2018.

The Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that 12 task force investigators now are working 1,000 open rape cases. More are coming in every week as the state lab works through the 4,000 untested rape kits submitted by Cleveland police and suburban departments.

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