Mold has been found growing on the outside of hundreds of rape kits stored by the Austin Police Department, raising questions about the integrity of the samples the kits contain.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that officials have no indication so far that the mold will affect the validity of the results from tests of the DNA samples. They say tests on the first kit found to have mold yielded a solid DNA profile.
However, they are concerned that the samples could now be vulnerable to challenges by defense attorneys. Another concern centers on the delay in police officials notifying other criminal justice officials, including prosecutors.
Assistant Police Chief Troy Gay says the issue was brought to the department's attention in April.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
