AG Asks Governor For More Crime Lab Analysts In Budget

Attorney General Josh Kaul says he is asking Gov. Tony Evers for more crime lab analysts in the governor’s executive budget.

A review of Wisconsin crime lab operations that Florida International University’s National Forensic Science Technology Center released in September found the labs suffer from multiple problems, including poor morale, below-market pay, constant turnover and accepting too much evidence from police.

Kaul said in an interview Thursday that he asked for more digital forensic specialists in hopes of freeing up analysts, more ballistics experts and more field techs. He declined to elaborate.

He also said he has asked Evers to set up a new pay progression for lab employees in hopes of recruiting and retaining workers. He again declined to elaborate.

Evers is expected to release his budget Feb. 28.

Kaul Working On Bill To Prevent Sexual Assault Kits From Piling Up

Kaul also said Thursday that he’s working on legislation to prevent untested sexual assault evidence kits from piling up.

Thousands of untested kits dating back to the 1980s sat on police and hospital shelves for years in Wisconsin because suspects were already identified, prosecutors felt cases were too weak or victims didn’t cooperate.

Kaul’s predecessor, Republican Brad Schimel, got federal grants in 2015 to test the kits. The work wasn’t completed until October of last year, sparking intense criticism from Kaul on the campaign trail.

Kaul said he’s working on a bill that would clarify when kits need to be tested. He did not elaborate on the bill’s specifics but said he hopes it will be introduced in the next few months.