| SAKI HOME | TOOLKIT | WEBINARS | VIRTUAL ACADEMY |
Notifications
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| SAKI HOME | TOOLKIT | WEBINARS | VIRTUAL ACADEMY |
Notifications
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In FY2022, the Idaho State Police (ISP) received two SAKI awards in separate purpose areas that totaled $3 million. ISP will use half of the funds to identify qualifying convicted offenders who do not currently have DNA samples entered into the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). DNA collections and subsequent entry into CODIS will also be completed through the SAKI project. Furthermore, ISP will research, review, and optimize DNA collection protocols to ensure that sample collection policies are sustainable and always followed.
ISP will use the second award to conduct advanced DNA testing (e.g., forensic genetic genealogy) and to research methodologies for identifying and apprehending violent offenders linked to sexual assaults and sexual assault homicides in Idaho. A newly constructed SAKI team will integrate into the Idaho Cold Case and Advanced DNA Methods Task Force. ISP will use SAKI funding for personnel support, cross-disciplinary training, and data entry into the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP).
In FY2023, SAKI awarded ISP $2.2 million to use advanced DNA testing and research methodologies to help identify and apprehend violent offenders linked to homicides in the entire state of Idaho. ISP will leverage their partnerships, successes, and tenure to inform policies and practices in Idaho and nationally. This goal will be achieved through adding a new SAKI Site Coordinator for SAKI purpose area #6, adding two more full-time investigative staff dedicated strictly to homicide investigations, adding more investigative resources such as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst, and training new full-time SAKI investigators and new full-time staff to conduct forensic genealogy searches. Additionally, ISP will complete a statewide inventory of unresolved violent cold case crimes and work with local, county, and tribal entities to investigate, solve, and prosecute these cases. ISP will also enhance task force competencies and capabilities through cross-disciplinary training, especially as it relates to investigating homicide cases with advanced DNA and the probative value of forensic evidence, and enter homicide cases into ViCAP to help solve additional crimes.
For more information on the specific SAKI awards for this site, see the table below.
| Year | Amount | Purpose Area |
|---|---|---|
| FY2022 | $1,500,000 | Expansion of DNA Databases to Assist with Sexual Assault Investigations and Prosecutions: Collection of Lawfully Owed DNA from Convicted Offenders and Arrestee DNA Collections |
| FY2022 | $1,500,000 | Investigation and Prosecution of Cold Case Sexual Assaults |
| FY2023 | $2,200,000 | National Cold Case Initiative |
Bostaph discusses research of sexual assault reporting, forensics on KTVB
— Boise State News, Jun 14, 2023
"Lisa Growette Bostaph, a professor of criminal justice, appeared on KTVB’s “The 208” to discuss research evaluating the Idaho Sexual Assault Kit Initiative statutes, which were funded by the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance."
Funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative aims to create a coordinated community response that ensures just resolution to sexual assault cases. Through this program, funding is provided to support multidisciplinary community response teams engaged in the comprehensive reform of jurisdictions approaches to sexual assault cases resulting from evidence found in previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.
