Illinois

Parents of Murder Victims Tackle DNA Testing Backlog in Illinois

One solution discussed at the hearing is a new technology that could reduce the time it takes to get the DNA profile of potential suspects to less than two hours.

A forensic expert says it would take five years to clear the state's DNA backlog.

Monday's hearing was the second in the past few months to try and get to the bottom of the backlog and also discuss solutions.

Latonya Moore determined to get justice for her daughter. Moore joined several other parents whose children were murdered, their cases still unsolved, at a public hearing Monday about the backlog of DNA testing in Illinois crime labs.

"I have not found out how she was murdered," she said. "She has a daughter and she needs to know what happened."

Moore says she won't give up until police arrest the person who killed her daughter, Shantanieya Smith.

Smith's body was found last June in a garage in Lawndale. Moore believes that DNA evidence could be key in her daughter’s case.

"I need to know whose hand prints was on that girl," she said. "I need forensics."

Carmia Tang held a picture of her murdered son as she testified.

"When the case first happened, (the) detective told me a few months, then six months--then a year--then almost two years," she said. "Why do they not know how long (it takes) for DNA to come back?"

One solution discussed at the hearing is a new technology that could reduce the time it takes to get the DNA profile of potential suspects to less than two hours.

The parents say they are open to trying anything at this point.

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