Councilmember Donates Funds for DNA Testing

WHAT:
News Conference

WHEN:
Thursday, December 13, 2007
2:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Parker Center-Rear Parking Lot
150 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, Ca. 90012

WHO:
Councilmember Jack Weiss
Chief of Police, William Bratton
Assistant Chief, Sharon Papa

WHY:
Councilmember Jack Weiss will present the Los Angeles Police Department with a check for $100,000, a transfer of funds from the Council Office to aid in DNA testing. The funds will allow the LAPD to test approximately 85 more rape kits to identify suspects and prosecute violent criminals.

In addition to 477 cases that are in line to be tested for DNA evidence, the City of Los Angeles also has a backlog of approximately 6,700 untested rape kits with evidence gathered in sexual assaults and homicides.

Councilmember Jack Weiss has worked with the LAPD for several years to increase staffing for the Crime Lab and outsourcing of DNA testing to private labs to clear the backlog, allowing the crime lab to keep current with new cases.

Please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586 for further information.