updated 8/9/2010 3:13:00 PM ET
Of the backlog, more than 2,700 cases are in the laboratory unit that primarily examines biological fluid stains, such as blood and semen. Nearly 500 cases are in the unit that analyzes evidence such as hair, bones, and teeth.
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The FBI is in the process of adding 17 additional forensic examiners, but their hiring and training could take as long as 18 months.
More at link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38628942/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets
That sure makes sense of things! So we aren't the only ones in this predicament- what a mess. I asked a detective why he thought it was taking so long to hear back from the FBI and he said "it's a murder case- there are no statutes of limitations, there is no reason to rush anything."
While I am bugged that I had this weird thing growing in my neck, for some reason I feel pretty calm about it over-all. Either I am used to so many bad things going on that it takes a lot for the alert button to ring in my head now, or I just know somewhere inside that it's benign. Every once in a while I feel this little stab of panic about it, (like when my neighbor saw the stitches across the back of my neck and said- I thought you just had a mole removed! This is serious!) Anyway- mostly I feel like I need to try to make it through this month, it's only 9 days until her deposition at this point- right around the corner. I was invited to go up and listen, and I have the right to ask any questions to the F.'s attorney that I want answered apparently, but to be honest- I am not sure I can handle that. I really don't know... I wonder what questions would really even count at this point. They have a right to ask questions even back to all of the husbands, money, etc.