DPS NEWS

SBI Starts Second Year of Training Series for Sex Crimes Investigators

Earlier this month, SBI started the second year of its training series for sex crimes investigators with a session that featured directors of both the state toxicology lab and the crime lab.

Training attendees included representatives from the state crime lab, Primary Children’s Hospital Safe and Healthy Families, and officers from law enforcement agencies including West Jordan PD, UPD, University of Utah PD, Riverton PD, Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, Herriman PD, SBI, Murray PD, and the Attorney General’s Office.

State Toxicology Lab Director Matt Slawson started the training with an overview of blood and urine submissions to the tox lab and the testing available on these substances pertaining to sex crimes investigations.

Director Slawson discussed the detailed process the lab follows for each specimen they receive and how the toxicology results the officers receive are there to help indicate that the sexual assault they are investigating may be drug-facilitated.

State Crime Lab Director Jay Henry was the next to present and he provided information about the crime lab’s processing timeline for the DNA section. The crime lab’s DNA section plans to be caught up on case processing by July, after which the median turn around time for cases will be 30 days. However, expedited processing is available when necessary.

Director Henry then provided a demonstration of buccal swabbing technique. Buccal swabbing is used for DNA collection. For sex crimes, this will usually involved consensual partners and/or suspects when located.

The crime lab provides these DNA kits to law enforcement agencies free of charge.

Following the training, state crime lab biology senior forensic scientist manager Chad Grundy discussed DNA reports with several officers.

SBI will continue its training series this year. Read about previous SBI trainings for sex crimes investigators here.