News

Montana received a grant and new guidelines to process rape kits more effectively
— Kaitlin Miller, abcfoxmontana.com, Oct 30, 2017

After receiving grant funding, Montana is revising their sexual assault kit by removing unnecessary items and simplifying the process of collecting evidence.

Mobile Police Department awarded another $1.9 million in SAKI grants to test rape kits
— Keith Lane, mynbc15.com, Oct 6, 2017

The Mobile Police Department (MPD) received another $1.9 million in funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). This is the third year that MPD has received SAKI funding.

Montana receives $900K to continue Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
— Jonathon Ambarian, MTN News, Oct 6, 2017

Montana received more than $900,000 in funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The money will be used to help fund a training coordinator, a victim advocate and a cold case investigator.

$2 million federal grant to help Cleveland police test older rape kits, support victims
— Rachel Dissell, Cleveland.com, Oct 5, 2017

A grand jury recently indicted Nathan Ford for a 2003 rape after testing previously unsubmitted SAKs. Ford has already been convicted of 3 other rapes based on earlier batches of rape kits sent for testing.

State makes progress on backlog of untested sex assault kits
— Terri Inefuku, khon2.com, Oct 5, 2017

Between July and September of 2017, Hawaii submitted 614 previously untested sexual assault kits (SAKs) for testing, up 72 SAKs from the previous quarter.

AG’s Office Wins $3m Federal Grant To Process Backlogged Sexual Assault DNA Evidence
— Washington State Office of the Attorney General, Oct 4, 2017

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office received a $3 million grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative to test and investigate the untested sexual assault kits and form a multidisciplinary team.

Portland Police Bureau has completed testing of 1,726 SAKs
— Portland Police Bureau, Oct 4, 2017

Testing has been completed on 1,726 sexual assault kits submitted by the Portland Police Bureau.

Grants awarded to begin processing rape kits
— Ryan Boetel, Albuquerque, Oct 2, 2017

The City of Albuquerque received two grants to address thousands of untested rape kits, including $2.5 million through the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

New cases linked to man convicted of raping dozens of women
— Jack Shea, FOX 8 Cleveland, Sep 20, 2017

A grand jury recently indicted Nathan Ford for a 2003 rape after testing previously unsubmitted SAKs. Ford has already been convicted of 3 other rapes based on earlier batches of rape kits sent for testing.

As Nevada chips away at its rape kit backlog with one-time funds, officials eye permanent solution
— Megan Messerly and Michelle Rindels, The Nevada Independent, Sep 10, 2017

Las Vegas Metro Police Department has received over $4.7 million to address a backlog of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits but is looking for ways to ensure long term sustainability for timely DNA testing.