News

With new federal grant, Duluth moves from testing rape kits to prosecuting cases
— Katie Galioto, StarTribune, Dec 11, 2019

During their SAKI project, Duluth has tested 444 kits, that have led to 126 CODIS Hits, 5 convictions, and 13 charges filed,

An evaluation of Kentucky’s sexual assault investigator training: results from a randomized three-group experiment
— Journal of Experimental Criminology, Dec 10, 2019

This study evaluated a 40-h statewide sexual assault investigations training program implemented in Kentucky in 2017. The study examined short- and long-term effects of training on police officers’ self-reported rape myth acceptance, knowledge of state laws, and knowledge of trauma-informed practices.

Dead man charged in cold-case sex assault near Ballantyne in south Charlotte, cops say
— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, Dec 7, 2019

Police on Friday said they charged a convict who died in 2014 in connection with the 1993 sexual assault of a woman near Ballantyne in south Charlotte based on new DNA testing.

New DNA evidence helps lead to arrest of Louisville man in 29-year-old rape case
— Billy Kobin, Courier Journal, Dec 7, 2019

A 70-year-old Louisville man was arrested Saturday thanks to DNA testing of a rape kit from an alleged sexual assault that took place 29 years ago to the day, according to police.

Testing of backlogged sexual assault kits results in another conviction
— Addy Bink, WeAreGreenbay.com, Dec 5, 2019

According to the Department of Justice, Brandon Darnick of Minocqua has been found guilty of First Degree Child Sex Assault – Sexual Contact with a Person Under Age 13 for an assault that occurred in 2013 based on testing a previously unsubmitted sexual assault kit.

Suspect indicted in 2013 rape; 12th case in Mult. Co. Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Project
— KATU Staff, KATU 2, Dec 4, 2019

The Multnomah county SAKI project indicts its 12th suspect since the programs inception.

County ready to prosecute old rape cases
— Hawaii Tribune Herald, Nancy Cook Lauer, Dec 3, 2019

Hawaii Island’s decade-long backlog of rape test kits have all been processed, and now it’s time to move onto the next step — investigating and prosecuting the cases. Of the 189 test kits submitted for analysis, 47 had DNA profiles loaded to CODIS, the federal Combined DNA Index System database. Of those, 11 resulted in hits against known suspects, according to the state Department of the Attorney General.

25 years in prison for man connected to 2012 child sex assault by rape kit
— Fox 11, Fox 11 News, Dec 2, 2019

Man convicted to 25 years in prison for 2012 sexual assault in Wisconsin.

FIRST ALERT INVESTIGATION: DNA match cracks rape case before time runs out
— Sarah Thomsen, 2 First Alert, Nov 21, 2019

A Green Bay woman is getting justice more than a decade after she was kidnapped and sexually assaulted. Brown County prosecutors have charged a man they say is responsible for the attack. The clock had been ticking on this case. The statute of limitations was about to run out.

Report: 90% of backlogged rape kits in Mo. are untested
— Amber Ruch, KFVS 12, Nov 20, 2019

Missouri has completed their SAK inventory. They uncovered 6,987 sexual assault kits.