MADISON - Wisconsin authorities have identified at least 560 DNA matches by analyzing evidence from sexual assault kits that had been left untested for years, according to new state figures.

The DNA matches include 224 "cold hits" pointing investigators to people who weren't previously named as suspects in sexual assault cases and 239 "warm hits" pointing to people who were previously known.

The number of matches is more than double what authorities last reported in early September. At the time, about 1,270 old rape kits were still undergoing a technical review before DNA could be compared with national crime databases.

Still, the number is far less than what state authorities estimated in 2015 while seeking grants to pay for DNA tests. Based on a similar backlog in Detroit, they estimated testing would yield "at a minimum" 750 matches.

State Department of Justice authorities released the new figures Monday following multiple requests by USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin since Oct. 31 and six days after a statewide election with their boss on the ballot.

Attorney General Brad Schimel campaigned for a second term by touting that he had "eliminated" the state's backlog of years-old rape kits that had not been tested for evidence. However, the newly released figures show seven kits were still being tested as of Monday.

State authorities have not publicly identified sexual assault cases where DNA matches were found, aside from three resulting in new criminal charges. The matches are being shared with local law enforcement, who may decide to reopen investigations or notify victims.

On Nov. 6, voters narrowly elected Democrat Josh Kaul over Schimel, a Republican. Schimel has pledged a smooth transition if the unofficial vote results hold under routine post-election review.

Kaul often criticized Schimel during the campaign over the state's response to old rape kits, arguing more kits should've been tested sooner. Schimel said the effort moved as quickly as possible despite numerous logistical challenges.

The state Department of Justice collected about 4,100 rape kits, some more than two decades old, from police stations and hospitals across the state and analyzed them for DNA to help investigators catch serial rapists. Schimel has secured millions of dollars in federal and New York grants since 2015 to fund the effort.

Three men have been charged in Waupaca, Winnebago and Rock counties as a result of the project so far. Their cases each remain pending.

Department of Justice spokeswoman Rebecca Ballweg said the number of DNA matches will likely to climb in the future as law enforcement collect and upload more DNA profiles to national crime databases.

RELATED: After two weeks, Attorney General Brad Schimel explains $1 million rape kits grant

RELATED: Few details in Josh Kaul's plans to address rape kits, crime lab delays

RELATED: The story behind Wisconsin’s first arrest from a massive rape kits backlog

INVESTIGATION: Delays, blunders and police neglect in Wisconsin's response to rape kits

Keegan Kyle is an investigative reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. He can be reached at kkyle@gannett.com or 619-206-5293. He is based in Madison.