News

NC Senate approves budget with rape kit reform
— Matt Moore, WYFF, May 31, 2019

NC Senate has approved the state's budget which earmarks $3 million for testing unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

Man charged in connection with second sexual assault cold case from 1994
— WBTV, May 30, 2019

CMPD has charged a man for his involvement in a second sexual assault cold case in Charlotte from 1994 after testing a sexual assualt kit that was partially tested previously using antiquated DNA methods.

23-year-old rape kit leads to arrest of Jacksonville man serving life sentence
— Bridgette Matter, Action News Jax, May 28, 2019

A local rape kit tested 23 years after the crime has led to an arrest thanks to a hit in CODIS

Mobile PD backlog of untested rape kits all submitted to state lab
— Cory Pippin, NBC 15, May 28, 2019

The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office told NBC 15 that MPD has now submitted its entire backlog of untested rape kits to the state crime lab.

Maricopa County close to clearing out backlog of 4,500 rape kits
— Jessica Swarner, KTAR News, May 24, 2019

90% of the kits in the backlog have been fully tested. The 250 kits that remain are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Of the kits that have been tested, 754 resulted in a “DNA hit" in CODIS.

Duluth Police: All backlog sexual assault kits tested, investigations ongoing
— Jessie Slater, Duluth 3, May 21, 2019

Duluth, MN has submitted 415 untested SAKs for testing. 50% of those came back with a DNA match in CODIS. 21 cases have been referred to the DA, with 13 cases facing charges and 3 convictions have been made.

Legislation to Prevent Future Backlog of Untested Sexual Assault Kits Introduced with Bipartisan Support
— Wisconsin Department of Justice, May 20, 2019

Legislation designed to prevent a future backlog of untested sexual assault kits has been introduced as Assembly Bill 214 and Senate Bill 200 with bipartisan support from 49 legislators in Wisconsin. This bill gives the survivor options and mandates their sexual assault kit be stored for up to 10 years.

Michigan certified for 'best practices' in rape kit testing
— Oralandar Brand-Williams , The Detroit News, May 18, 2019

To date,all of the rape kits found in Wayne County, MI have been tested and 826 suspected serial offenders have been identified. There are 240 cases being actively investigated and 431 cases awaiting investigation.

Midsouth Man Found Guilty of Kidnapping and Raping Six Women Over Seven Years
— Western District of Tennessee , The United States Attorney's Office, May 17, 2019

A Memphis man has been found guilty of kidnapping and raping six memphis woman and attempting to kidnap and rape a seventh woman based on DNA from a previously unsubmitted sexual assault kit and CODIS.

Midsouth Man Found Guilty of Kidnapping and Raping Six Women Over Seven Years
— The United State Attorney's Office Western District, May 17, 2019

A Memphis man has been found guilty of kidnapping and raping six memphis woman and attempting to kidnap and rape a seventh woman based on DNA from a previously unsubmitted sexual assault kit and CODIS.