News
Displaying News and Event Items: 721 - 730 of 873.
SAKI TTA Webinar: Foundations in Forensic DNA Testing - Sexual Assault Kits
— SAKI TTA, Apr 26, 2018
During this webinar, Amy Jeanguenat discussed how to track a sexual assault kit in the laboratory from evidence receipt through reporting. Attendees learned about timelines for processing sexual assault kit evidence, common workflow bottlenecks, considerations for creating a testing strategy, and the foundations behind each step involved in laboratory processing. Common reporting language was reviewed to clarify meaning and how to determine when further testing may be possible. This presentation is great for investigators or attorneys that are new to utilizing DNA testing and results or are seasoned professionals that just need a refresher. Understanding DNA testing foundations will help attendees have more confidence communicating with crime lab scientists, furthering an investigation based on DNA results, and educating a judge or jury.
More than 3,800 untested rape kits in Jefferson County
— Bree Sison, WBRC Fox 6 News, Apr 25, 2018
Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office completed an inventory of 27 jurisdictions and found 3,876 previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits. With BJA SAKI funding, Jefferson County will test the unsubmitted SAKs and establish a SAK tracking system that will be accessible to advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, sexual assault nurse examiners, and the crime laboratory.
Rape kit testing leads to charges against Marion man in assault
— Alison Dirr and Keegan Kyle, Post Crescent, Apr 25, 2018
A Marion man has been charged with sexual assault after the testing of previously unsubmitted SAKs in Wisconsin. This is the second prosecution stemming from the testing of previously unsubmitted SAKs by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Battle Creek man faces sexual assault charge from 2008 incident
— Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer, Apr 20, 2018
A Battle Creek man has been charged in connection with a 2008 rape. The rape kit associated with this case was tested after more than 1,800 untested rape kits were found in Michigan. The defendant has been charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct and being a habitual third offender. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
SAKI TTA Webinar: Guiding Journalists to Victim-Centered Reporting
— SAKI TTA, Apr 18, 2018
This webinar was presented by Stephenie Hoelscher, Consultant to the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and RTI and Michelle Kuiper, Survivor/Advocate for victims at the State and National Level. This webinar was a follow-up to the Media Relations 101 webinar presented last fall, taking a deeper dive into strategies for effective messaging of sexual violence. Participants were better able to understand how the words and phrases they use in police reports, court documents, and interviews and statements to the media can perpetuate harmful rape myths, stifle reporting of sexual violence by victims, and even affect trial outcomes. The presentation was crafted in consultation with veteran police detectives and prosecutors.
Cold case rape arrest a milestone for Mobile task force
— Lawrence Specker, al.com, Apr 13, 2018
The Mobile Police Department made an arrest in a 1998 case after the sexual assault kit received modern DNA testing. In 2015, the Mobile Police Department received BJA SAKI funding to inventory and test its previously unsubmitted SAKs. In 2016, the Mobile Police Department received another SAKI grant to renovate its evidence storage room. With SAKI funding received in 2017, the Mobile Police Department will build a special victims unit.
