LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) issued a statement regarding the status of their rape kit testing procedures and backlogs. This is in response to over 6,132 untested sexual assault evidence kits that were rediscovered in December 2008. According to the LAPD, those backlogs have now been cleared.

The historic backlog from 2008 revealed a defect in the way the police department treated rape kits. The LAPD indicates they have patched the defect. In the past, the LAPD did not handle all rape kit testing in-house, but the process was changed after the 2008 rape kit audit.

“LAPD’s Scientific Investigation Division developed a five-year plan to outsource the testing process while the city hired and trained personnel to manage the kits ‘in-house’ going forward,” said the Los Angeles Police Department in a press release.

The city spent over $10 million to hire 50 additional Criminalists and support personnel, which tripled the size of the unit during that five year period and by 2011 the original 6,132 kits were cleared.

“The backlog remains cleared to this day and is a testament to the dedication of the men and women of this organization and the extraordinary political leadership of this City, both past and present,” said the LAPD.

The clearing of the backlog has led to the arrest of over 300 individuals based on evidence from the kits.