News

Testing of backlogged rape kits leads to 22 DNA hits
— Kerri O’Brien, WRIC ABC 8 News, Apr 13, 2018

Richmond Police Department has sent 195 rape kits for testing and has so far received 22 hits in CODIS, the national DNA database.

Detroit plays crucial role in Mariska Hargitay-produced documentary on untested rape kits
— Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, Apr 8, 2018

The HBO documentary “I Am Evidence” highlights the work of Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to address Detroit’s backlog of previously unsubmitted SAKs.

Officials: All backlogged sex assault kits have been sent for testing
— Katie Hall, Austin American-Statesman, Apr 7, 2018

To eliminate their backlog of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits, the Austin Police Department has now sent nearly 4,300 SAKs to a private crime laboratory for testing.

Rape kit leads to arrest in 2011 case
— Melanie Schultz, News4 JAX, Apr 6, 2018

As the result of a recently tested SAK, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested a map in a 2011 case.

I-TEAM: Sex offender charged in 2006 Jacksonville rape
— Tarik Minor, News4 JAX, Mar 29, 2018

A sex offender recently released from prison has been arrested in relation to a 12-year-old rape case. This arrest is a result of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement processing unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

Collaborative Partnerships in the Testing of Unsubmitted SAKS
— Dan Clark and Rachel Lovell, The Police Chief, Mar 23, 2018

Through funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, law enforcement agencies across the country can form collaborative working relations with local academic institutions. This article highlights the productive law enforcement-academic collaboration in Cuyahoga County, Ohio as well as findings from their current research.

6 women were kidnapped and raped in New Orleans in the 1980s. The accused attacker was just charged
— Emily Lane, The Times-Picayune, Mar 22, 2018

Through the work of the New Orleans Sexual Assault Kit Initiative unit, a man was indicted for the kidnapping and rape of six women from more than 30 years ago.

La. inmate indicted in 2 cold case rapes in New Orleans
— Heather Nolan, The Times-Picayune, Mar 22, 2018

A man already serving time for a 2012 sexual assault conviction has been indicted by New Orleans District Attorney’s Office in two previously unsolved rape cases.

The sexual assault problem we can't afford to ignore
— Lawrence M. Wein, CNN, Mar 22, 2018

Using data from the Detroit Action Research Project, researchers developed a cost-benefit analysis of testing a SAK. Based on their results, they argue that the large investment in testing previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits and investigating hits will pay off.

Montana: Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Task Force is making progress
— Lindsey Ford, MTN News, Mar 21, 2018

The Montana Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Task Force is discussing ways to better help sexual assault survivors and address previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.