The New York City medical examiner’s office has discovered 55 cases in which it failed to upload vital DNA evidence samples from crime scenes to the state’s DNA database.

According to The New York Times, the error prevented those samples from being compared to genetic material from convicted offenders.

The ME made the discovery during a review of more than 800 rape cases for possible errors in DNA analysis after learning a lab technician missed detecting the evidence in at least 26 cases.

The ME’s office has fired the lab’s deputy director of quality assurance and suspended the office’s director of department of forensic biology.

The ME said “the failure is not acceptable for a world-class DNA lab.”

An outside expert will review the lab’s management.

(AP)