Aurora police to make changes to DNA evidence storage, procedures

An independent panel that reviewed the destruction of DNA evidence by the Aurora Police Department has recommended comprehensive changes to how the department handles and stores evidence.

The panel was formed after the department last year announced it had improperly destroyed evidence in 48 sexual assault cases. In all, there were 455 cases in which DNA had been potentially or prematurely destroyed.

The review, which was made public Thursday, found that in six of the cases "it is possible that charges cannot be brought because of the destruction of evidence." In four of those cases, the DNA evidence was never submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

The panel concluded that the mistakes, which happened between 2011 and 2013, were an "oversight due to inadequate staff training, lack of close supervision, and a lack of adherences to protocols ... "

Since the announcement last year, interim Police Chief Terry Jones said the department is not destroying any DNA evidence until it can make all the needed changes regarding how it oversees and stores DNA evidence.

"We regret that it occurred, and we're taking the steps necessary to make sure it doesn't happen again," Jones said Thursday.

A big part of those steps is upgrading its evidence storage facilities. APD currently stores evidence in seven locations throughout the city, including at an undisclosed warehouse and at the District 2 police station at the Aurora Municipal Center.

The panel, however, recommends that the District 2 facility be redesigned and expanded. Jones said he would like to see the city consolidate its storage facilities at one or two locations.

But that would come with a hefty price tag.

City Councilwoman Barb Cleland, chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee, which will review the report at Tuesday's meeting, said Aurora needs to make storage of DNA evidence a greater priority and must find ways to pay for the changes. She even suggested that the city explore partnering with other law enforcement agencies for a possible joint evidence storage facility.

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Aurora police to make changes to DNA evidence storage, procedures