Boston Council Holds Hearing on Crime Lab Delays
The Boston Police Department failed to attend a City Council hearing regarding sexual assault kit testing performance.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Sex Crimes
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The Boston City Council convened a hearing to discuss crime lab operations and sexual assault kit testing delays. Boston Police Department representatives did not attend the session, drawing criticism from council members.
Why it matters
The hearing was intended to address concerns regarding the lab's ability to meet state-mandated testing deadlines. Previous delays have been attributed by the police to staffing shortages and a lack of executive leadership at the lab.
The BPD Forensic Laboratory failed to test 93 sexual assault kits within the 30-day mandate in 2023, following a 27% failure rate in 2022. By contrast, all qualifying kits received in 2025 were processed within the required timeline.
The players
Boston City Council
This is the legislative body for the city of Boston that holds hearings to oversee the operations of various municipal departments.
Boston Police Department
This agency is responsible for local law enforcement and the management of the BPD Forensic Laboratory.
Henry Santana
He is a Boston City Councilor who intends to schedule a follow-up hearing regarding the status and operations of the crime lab.
Ed Flynn
He is a Boston City Councilor who plans to emphasize crime lab efficacy during upcoming budget proceedings.
The details
City Council members expressed dissatisfaction after being notified of the department's absence less than 20 minutes before the meeting. The hearing aimed to review resources and progress related to the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act.
Timeline
The Criminal Justice Reform Act was passed in 2018.
The lab failed to test 27% of kits within the mandated timeframe in 2022.
During the 2023 fiscal year, the lab received 186 kits and missed 93 testing deadlines.
In 2025, the lab received 160 kits and met all state-mandated testing deadlines.
The City Council held the hearing regarding crime lab resources on October 26, 2026.
Legal Context
The hearing operates within the oversight framework established by the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act, which mandates 30-day processing for sexual assault kits. This incident highlights ongoing friction between legislative accountability efforts and local law enforcement operations.
The absence of police officials from the hearing may lead to heightened scrutiny regarding transparency and the timely processing of sexual assault evidence. Residents concerned about public safety may see increased focus from the City Council during upcoming budget and oversight proceedings.
The takeaway
Effective oversight of forensic labs remains a critical component of ensuring justice for victims of sexual assault. Ongoing monitoring of these departments is essential to maintain compliance with state-mandated testing timelines.
What happens next
City Councilor Henry Santana is expected to schedule a follow-up hearing to review the crime lab's operations, while Councilor Ed Flynn will focus on lab performance metrics during the next city budget cycle.
Further reading
Learn more about local investigations by visiting the Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Free Press.
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