Audit: Forensic backlog hurts criminal cases

SPRINGFIELD -- A new report shows the backlog of untested evidence at Illinois state police labs has exploded, interfering with criminal cases.

The report by Auditor General William Holland says the backlog grew even though the state police weren't spending all the available money for testing.

Holland also found that the state police submitted misleading statistics in its reports to the governor and lawmakers.

The backlog includes DNA and other evidence gathered at crime scenes.

Holland's office surveyed state's attorneys and police about the problems. Nearly half of them said the testing delays had interfered with their work -- forcing them to drop charges, for instance, or keeping them from arresting a suspect.