Inventory: 1,163 Rape Kits Sit Untested Across Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — An inventory of untested rape kits gathered from Louisiana's law enforcement agencies — from city police departments to small town sheriff's offices — found more than 1,160 kits have not been tested for DNA evidence by crime labs.

But the inventory data released Friday was far from complete because 128 police departments did not submit a report as required under a new law. The inventory was mandated by a 2014 bill pushed by state Sen. J.P. Morrell, a New Orleans Democrat.

Agencies were asked to submit the number of untested rape kits sitting in their evidence rooms to state police by Jan. 1.

Morrell says the data shows a problem in Louisiana with kits going untested. He also said the inventory was part of a national effort to reduce backlogs.