Court delays are bad for victims of crime; people in custody; and taxpayers. And timely DNA analysis plays a critical role in moving criminal cases forward.
That’s why the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice helped identify an opportunity to clear some of the court delay bottlenecks, in partnership with the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).
By supporting OCME in expanding available capacity for certain staff titles, the city accelerated its DNA analysis process, resulting in 38% more reports issued in Spring 2026, compared to Winter 2025-26.
It’s interagency collaborations like these that have been pivotal in moving cases through the criminal legal system more efficiently — which helps reduce the length of time individuals have to spend on Rikers Island prior to adjudication. MOCJ remains dedicated to partnering with agencies and stakeholders citywide to build a safer and fairer system for all.