The Louisiana Legislative Auditor released a sobering report on the handling of sexual‑assault evidence across the state. Of the 1,879 rape kits collected from July 2024 through December 2025, 337 – roughly 18% – had not been submitted to a crime laboratory for testing as of February.
Why kits are left untouched
Auditors found that law‑enforcement agencies sometimes decide not to forward kits, and several crime labs told investigators they will not test a kit if the local prosecutor or police indicate the case will not be pursued. Five of the six state labs said they rely on such guidance, while one lab claimed it tests every kit it receives.
In addition, the report noted that many labs use “circumstantial or administrative factors” to determine which kits to test, creating a patchwork of discretion rather than a uniform, victim‑centered approach.
Impact on victims and public safety
Rape kits are labeled “reported” when a victim agrees to a forensic exam in hopes that police will investigate. Even when a case is not prosecuted, advocates argue that testing all kits is essential. DNA results can be entered into national databases, potentially linking perpetrators to other crimes and providing closure for survivors.
The audit also highlighted gaps in online information for victims. In more than a quarter of the cases surveyed, police either failed to retrieve the kit from the medical provider or did not deliver it to a lab within legally required timeframes.
Legislative and procedural responses
Louisiana law currently imposes no penalties for agencies that miss testing deadlines, making enforcement difficult. Auditor Michael Waguespack suggested that publishing a yearly list of non‑compliant agencies could improve accountability.
State Police Superintendent Col. Frank Besson, who oversees the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab—responsible for about half of the state’s testing—has pledged to adopt many of the auditor’s recommendations. In a letter to Waguespack, Besson said the department has already begun “corrective actions and process improvements designed to strengthen oversight, enhance operational effectiveness and address the areas identified within the report.”
Resource constraints and future legislation
Crime‑lab staff reported insufficient resources to keep up with rising demand. The number of kits submitted to labs rose from 643 in fiscal year 2024 to 1,011 in 2025, a surge driven by recent legislative measures that expanded tracking and testing requirements.
Lab officials warned that testing rape kits is more complex and resource‑intensive than other DNA work, such as homicide investigations, and that expanding testing capacity could strain those other critical services.
Advocates, including Morgan Lamandre of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response, called for clearer statutory language requiring all reported kits to be tested and for better communication of DNA “hits” between labs and law‑enforcement agencies.
Lamandre also indicated that in the 2027 legislative session she will push for a law obligating hospitals and other medical providers to notify victim‑advocacy groups immediately after a sexual‑assault exam, aiming to reduce delays and improve transparency.
What this means for Louisiana families
For families and faith communities concerned about safety and justice, the audit underscores the need for consistent, transparent handling of sexual‑assault evidence. By strengthening oversight, ensuring timely testing, and improving communication, Louisiana can better protect victims, uphold the rule of law, and deter future crimes.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
