The Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center, the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Commission need to work together to make sure that police and the forensic center have the resources they need. At issue is a memo from the center last month outlining restrictions on DNA testing. Because of limited resources, the center wants to focus on violent crimes and not do testing on weapons or ammunition in cases alleging that felons possess guns. But police Deputy Chief Tom Stolz told The Eagle that DNA testing on weapons can help put gang members behind bars and prevent violence. Some prioritization on testing makes sense, given tight budgets, but the center and the commission need to make sure they aren’t taking away an important tool for keeping Wichita safe.
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