News

Springfield Police Department has cleared its rape kit backlog
— Jordan Meier, Springfield News-Leader, Sep 23, 2021

The Springfield Police Department has sent the last of its backlogged SAFE kits — commonly referred to as rape kits — off for testing, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced Thursday. “Springfield is one of just a few police departments to achieve this goal, and largest police department in the state to do so,” Schmitt said. “Getting to this milestone here today is a true success story in how we can work together hand in glove with our federal and state partners and achieve great things.”

Arrest made in 1996 sex assault of girl during home invasion, police say
— NJ.com, Sep 17, 2021

A man was charged this week with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl during a Jersey Shore home invasion 25 years ago after investigators used DNA evidence and FGG to identify the attacker, authorities said.

Suspect arrested in California for 1998 sex assault cold case in North Carolina
— Joey Gill, Fox 8, Sep 15, 2021

Investigators have arrested a 49-year-old man for an attempted sexual assault that occurred in 1998 in Charlotte of a then 48-year-old woman thanks to DNA evidence.

Coldwater Man Sent to Prison in Kalamazoo Co. Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Case
— Michigan Department of Attorney General, Sep 7, 2021

The Kalamazoo Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) secured prison time against a habitual offender after he was sentenced in one of three cases currently pending as a result of successful evidence testing, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting announced today.

Demanding justice: For 36 years, a woman sought her rapist
— The Dallas Morning News, Sep 6, 2021

FGG used to convict serial rapist who confessed to at least 30 rapes in the Dallas area.

Serial rapist identified through genetic genealogy DNA testing gets 4 life sentences
— Dallas County District Attorney's Office, Aug 27, 2021

A 75-year-old serial rapist who was identified more than 30 years after his crimes through genealogy DNA testing was sentenced to four life sentences on Friday, announced Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot.

North Carolina man convicted by guilty plea 24 years after cold case sexual assault in DeKalb County
— OCG News Staff, Aug 24, 2021

DNA evidence from cold case rape that occurred in 1997 leads to the conviction of suspect to 15 years in custody and 5 years supervised probation.

Sixth conviction and sentencing made as a result of the Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
— Advocate Staff, Aug 24, 2021

Man entered a guilty plea to Third Degree Sexual Assault on August 9 and was sentenced on August 19. The victim’s sexual assault kit was tested as part of the Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) in 2018. This is the sixth conviction and sentencing to result from SAKI.

Washington AG’s office IDs hundreds of sex offenders who failed to give up DNA
— Hanna Scott, My Northwest, Aug 20, 2021

Washington AG's Office announced they have collected 345 DNA samples from eligible sex offenders who never submitted their DNA to the state and have entered them all into CODIS.

Man charged with 1st-degree murder in 1985 killing of Jacksonville teen
— Renee Beninate, News 4 Jax, Aug 19, 2021

#SAKISuccess! @JSOPIO charge man in 1985 slaying of teen thanks to DNA evidence and the support of @projectcoldcase