Now, it’s 41 days, according to state crime lab director Amy Lightfoot.
“It s exciting to be in a place where we re able to process kits as they come in the door instead of taking in evidence and then having it wait,” Lightfoot said. “So it s a huge, huge benefit and a big relief.
The lab has also started using robotics and changed its workflow to help speed up the process.
Lightfoot said she expects that average processing time to get down to their goal of 30 days by the end of April.
Faster turnaround times can have big impacts on survivors, said Katherine Aguilera, Director of Advocacy Services at the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City.
KUER Around 70 people gathered outside Salt Lake City Hall Saturday to protest the recent police killings of Daunte Wright near Minneapolis and Adam Toledo in Chicago. This story and more in the Monday morning news brief.
Monday morning, April 19, 2021
State
State’s Tax Revenue Falling Short
Utah’s main sources of tax revenue are lagging behind projections for the year. The state is currently 1.6% behind estimates, according to the state’s fiscal analysts. If things don’t change, that could lead to a $148 million deficit at the end of the fiscal year. State lawmakers recently approved a $100 million tax cut based on budget projections. Legislative economists do predict collections will pick up as people and businesses pay income taxes this month and next.