The Effects of Legislation Mandating DNA Testing in Sexual Assault Cases: Results in Texas

Abstract

Many cities and states have taken steps to identify and process all untested sexual assault kits (SAKs). Texas was one of the first states to enact such legislation-SB 1636-which created a time line for a statewide audit and mandatory testing of SAKs. A mixed-methods approach was used to assess the effects of SB 1636 at both state and local levels. The study did not detect any effect of SB 1636 on reporting, arrests, or convictions. The legislation did have a significant effect on criminal justice workloads, particularly crime laboratories.

Keywords: DNA backlog; sexual assault; sexual assault in Texas; sexual assault kit backlog; sexual assault kit testing; state legislation on DNA testing.