News

Micro-Webinar: BJA FY2020 Funding Opportunities - "Competitive" Forensic Science Grant Programs
— Bureau of Justice Assistance, May 6, 2020

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and RTI International, hosted a micro-webinar on Tuesday, May 5th to discuss available Fiscal Year 2020 competitive forensic science funding opportunities. These solicitations/grant programs will provide states and localities with various resource tools to improve the quality of their forensic science services to meet the challenges of crime and justice and improve overall public safety. Discussed solicitations included the following: (1) Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, (2) Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence, (3) Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA, (4) Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence - Inventory, Tracking and Reporting (SAFE-ITR) Program, and (5) Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program.

DOJ official: Fayetteville PD shows how to tackle sexual assault crimes
— Katie Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, Apr 11, 2020

Katie Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, provided insight into the progress the Fayetteville SAKI program has made since 2015 in ensuring justice for victims of sexual assault.

AG FERGUSON LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO TRACK THE PROGRESS OF RAPE KIT TESTING
— Washington State Attorney General's Office, Apr 6, 2020

The Attorney General’s Office today launched a website to keep the public up to date and provide comprehensive information about Washington’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) program, part of a statewide initiative to end Washington’s rape kit backlog.

Summit prosecutor urges community to ‘Start By Believing’ rape victims
— Stephanie Warsmith, Beacon Journal, Apr 3, 2020

Akron’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) began a social media campaign to commemorate SAAM. “Our hope is that when other victims/survivors see how diligently the SAKI unit is working to improve our responses to victims/survivors of sexual assault, many more will find the strength and courage to report their victimization,” Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh stated.

DNA search warrant leads to rape arrest in Kansas cold case 17 years later
— Jason Tidd, The Wichita Eagle, Apr 1, 2020

Kansas law enforcement officers have made a rape arrest following a breakthrough in a cold case from 17 years ago based on DNA.

Accused serial rapist linked to 8 metro Atlanta cold cases captured
— Jason Braverman, 11 Alive, Mar 4, 2020

District Attorney Sherry Boston said the alleged rapist, 58-year-old Wesley Cooley, is linked to eight cold cases over nearly two decades. Cooley was identified through the efforts of the sexual assault task force. Five of the sexual assaults took place in DeKalb County.

A man has been sentenced to 12 life sentences for a dozen Atlanta rapes
— Everett Catts, The Neighbor, Mar 3, 2020

A man who sexually assaulted a dozen women has been sentenced to 12 consecutive life sentences, according to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.

Dozens of lawyers volunteer to help prosecute rape kit backlog cases
— Brittany Bade, KRQE, Mar 3, 2020

The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office is rolling out a new initiative to prevent another devastating and dangerous backlog in the court system.

New data released from Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
— NBC 15, Feb 20, 2020

As of February 20, 2020 Wiscon DOJ's SAKI initiative has tested 4,472 sexual assault kits, added 1,038 sexual assault kits to CODIS, reviewed 1,406 cases, referred 40 cases for a charging decision, and total of 12 criminal cases have been filed.

New Durham police unit aims to clear backlog of unsolved sex assaults
— Sarah Krueger, WRAL, Feb 18, 2020

"We’re here for the survivors of all these cases," he said. "Even though it may be 20, 30 years ago, we’re still going to keep working them."