Speedier DNA Tests Funded in Rape Cases

Evidence samples taken from some rape victims in Southern California will be analyzed, and if DNA is present, compared with DNA profiles of convicted felons within days under a pilot program announced Sunday by Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer.

The new Fast Track Forensic Program will greatly speed up the process, which can take as long as six months, Lockyer said.

“The goal of this project is to quickly deliver vital information law enforcement officers need in the critical early stages of an investigation,” he said.

The pilot program, which will cost $1.1 million, is being funded with money from a 2001 settlement with Nine West Group over allegations that the company was engaged in price fixing in the retail sale of women’s shoes, Lockyer said.

The new program is to begin immediately and will be administered in cooperation with the Rape Treatment Center in Santa Monica.

“This is something that will have significant impact once it’s fully implemented,” said Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton. “And it’s something we’ll seek to take advantage of.”

The Rape Treatment Center handles about 600 cases a year, with the vast majority of victims living in Los Angeles County. Some victims are referred by the Los Angles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies. Others go to the center without referrals.

Until now, bodily fluids, hair samples and fingernail scrapings collected at the center went to local police crime labs for processing, officials said.

Under the pilot program, an additional swab will be taken and sent directly to the attorney general’s lab in Richmond, Calif., and analyzed within five days. If DNA is found, analysts will complete a profile of the suspect and compare it with a database containing the DNA profiles of 575,000 felons. Any matches will be immediately reported to law enforcement.

Gail Abarbanel, director of the Rape Treatment Center, said the expedited processing would be used in cases handled by the agency while funds remain, probably 18 months to two years.

“When the evidence is sitting on the shelf for all those months before it’s processed, it means that somebody who could be identified sooner remains in the community where he could commit other crimes,” Abarbanel said.

The pilot program does not address a backlog of more than a quarter of a million DNA samples that have been collected from convicted felons but have yet to be analyzed and entered into the state’s database. The samples were taken after the passage of Proposition 69 two years ago. It requires officials to collect and test DNA from convicted felons, certain misdemeanor offenders and those arrested on suspicion of rape or murder and check them against a national database.

Bratton and other law enforcement leaders have called on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature to address the problem.

The program was unveiled during the Rape Treatment Center’s annual fundraiser, held at the Beverly Hills home of billionaire Ron Burkle. Cast members of the television show “Grey’s Anatomy” helped host the benefit, which drew about 800 people, including entertainment industry figures, politicians and law enforcement officials.

The event also featured the emotional testimony of two rape victims. One of them was raped by her teacher, the other by a stranger who broke into her home.

Many in the crowd were brought to tears as the two talked about the trauma of their ordeals and the stigma and shame they felt later.

“I have worked very hard to heal,” said the woman who was attacked in her home.

“Today, being here, this is the most important for me, because I want to look my fear right in the eye and feel like I never again have to be ashamed or keep this a secret.”

Despite the trauma she suffered, the woman talked about being very concerned that all her injuries were photographed and that all the physical evidence her attacker left behind was collected.

“From the day that it happened, the strong part of me knew that he picked the wrong person to mess with,” she said. “I couldn’t fight him off then, but I can fight him by doing this now.”

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scott.glover@latimes.com