News

Partners Clear Untested Sexual Assault Kit Backlog
— Baihly Warfield, WDIO-TV, May 21, 2018

The City of Duluth submitted all their previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits to the state crime laboratory for testing. With SAKI funding they will move forward with notifying victims and investigating cases.

State developing computer program to allow victims to track sexual assault test results
— Frank Green, Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 20, 2018

With support from the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science is working on a new software that will give victims the ability to track their sexual assault kit.

With $1 million grant and DNA, DA's office hopes to bring closure to long-unsolved rapes
— Heather Nolan, The Times-Picayune, May 18, 2018

With funding from the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, the New Orleans SAKI Unit has indicted 11 cases, has another 57 cases currently open and is investigating hundreds of CODIS hits.

SAKI TTA Webinar: SAKI Public Relations - Strategies for Transparency with the Community
— SAKI TTA, May 17, 2018

This webinar was presented by Keeley Crowley, Program & Policy Analyst with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Dr. Chris Henning, Research Analyst with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The needs and well-being of survivors must be at the core of all SAKI-related activities, especially when sharing updates and information with the community. Communication that is not victim-centered, trauma-informed, and transparent may negatively impact the perception of SAKI and the efforts being made to improve the system response to sexual assault.

County completes rape kit testing back to ’99
— Lila Fujimoto, mauinews.com, May 13, 2018

Maui County has completed testing on more than 100 sexual assault kits dating back to 1999. So far, testing has resulted in 13 hits in the national DNA database.

Fallen through the cracks:' Overdue DNA swabs link to murders, sexual assaults
— Rachel Dissell, The Plain Dealer, May 13, 2018

A project to collect swabs of DNA from more than 500 Cuyahoga County probationers whose DNA was not in the state database has led to 21 hits to crimes so far, including 2 murders and seven sexual assaults.

Nevada Attorney General launches website addressing sex assault test kit backlog
— KTNV Staff, May 10, 2018

The Nevada Attorney General’s Office launched a website providing information on their efforts to test previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits. The website including statistical information regarding SAK testing, information on how to report a sexual assault, and resources for survivors and law enforcement agencies.

Battle Creek man to stand trial in 10-year-old rape
— Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer, May 8, 2018

A Battle Creek man will stand trial on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for a rape that occurred nearly 10 years ago. This is the sixth case charged in Calhoun County from the testing of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

Man pleads guilty to 2008 rape of girl, 14, after push to test rape kits
— Emily Monacelli, mlive.com, May 7, 2018

In Kalamazoo County, the first of many sexual assault cases stemming from the testing of old rape kits has come to a resolution after a man pleaded guilty to a rape that occurred nearly 10 years ago.

AG: Progress Made in Hawai‘i Sex Assault Kit Backlog
— mauinow.com, May 4, 2018

Hawaii’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative multidisciplinary team has completed the submission of 1,513 previously untested SAKs for DNA testing.