News

Police find 500 videotapes in home of suspected serial rapist
— David K. Li, David Douglas, and Associated Press, NBC News, Oct 10, 2018

In July 2018, Flint Police arrested a man whose DNA they connected to six previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits. After searching that suspects house, the Flint Police have found 500 videotapes that they believe contain film of other sexual assaults the suspect has committed dating back decades.

Jefferson County seeking investigator to clear sexual assault backlog
— Jon Paepcke, WVTM 13, Oct 9, 2018

Jefferson County prosecutors want to hire an investigator to clear nearly 4,000 unsolved sexual assault cases and are using their SAKI funding to do so. Jefferson County's hope is that this special sex crimes investigator can investigate cases that are the result of processing previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

Keeping track of kits a tool against rape
— Emilie Munson, CT Post, Oct 7, 2018

Connecticut has purchased a tracking system that allows victims to see where their sexual assault kit is at any time.

Missouri awarded grant to clear rape kit backlog
— Zach Barrett, News-Press Now, Oct 6, 2018

The Missouri Attorney General's Office received a $2.8 million grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to address previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

Police: DNA liks 3 deaths to killer who died in 1999
— Jim Salter, Associated Press, Oct 6, 2018

Advances in DNA technology link 3 murders and the rape of a 14-year-old girl to an Arkansas man who killed himself during a police standoff in 1999.

Rape Kit that Sat Untested for 11 Years Turned Up a Match
— Jenn Gidman, Newser, Oct 6, 2018

DNA testing has linked a convicted rapist to the 2007 kidnapping and rape of a 14-year-old girl in Seattle, Washington.

Could $1 million grant help ease city's rape kit backlog?
— Shellye Leggett, KOAT 7, Oct 4, 2018

The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office received a $1 million grant as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative for the investigation and prosecution of cases stemming from previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

Hotline breaks 12-year-old rape cold case
— Pat Reavy, Deseret News Utah, Oct 4, 2018

DNA testing and the establishment of a hotline by the Utah Department of Public Safety has lead to charges in the 2006 kidnapping and rape of a then 16-year-old girl.

North Carolina Gets $2 Million Federal Grant to Test Sexual Assault Kits
— Alex Olgin, WFAE 90.7, Oct 4, 2018

North Carolina received $2 million in funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to test previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits, investigate and prosecute the associated cases, and receive training on trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches.

Hawley's office receives grant for rape kit testing, tracking systems
— Barry Mangold, KMIZ 17, Oct 1, 2018

Josh Hawley, Missouri Attorney General, announced that his office has received a 2019 SAKI grant to begin testing the 5,424 previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits throughout the state of Missouri.