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4w ago

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Retesting 4,000 DNA Samples After Faulty Kits Used for 8 Months

The discovery of defective DNA test kits has prompted an internal investigation and collaboration with the District Attorney's Office to address potential impacts on criminal cases.

FILE - A roll of police tape is left on the windshield of Los Angeles County sheriff's vehicle in the parking lot of its training academy in Whittier, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
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Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna speaks at the Hall of Justice Feb. 20, 2023.

Overview

  • The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department used faulty DNA test kits from July 2024 to February 2025 due to a bureaucratic oversight.
  • Approximately 4,000 DNA samples are being retested to determine the extent of incomplete or suboptimal results caused by the defective kits.
  • An internal investigation has been launched to identify procedural failures and implement safeguards to prevent similar issues in the future.
  • The District Attorney's Office is working with the Sheriff's Department to assess the impact on prosecutions, particularly in cases where samples cannot be retested due to limited size.
  • Officials emphasize that the faulty kits are unlikely to have falsely identified individuals but acknowledge concerns over delays in trials and public trust in the justice system.