Monday, August 31, 2015

Untested Rape Kits: Who is to blame and what is the solution?

In the United States, sexual assaults occur every two minutes. After a sexual assault, if a victim goes to the hospital, medical personnel compile a rape kit. A rape kit is a type of forensic DNA evidence collected from victims after a sexual assault has taken place. The process is often invasive and can take hours to complete. Police departments and prosecutors use the evidence collected during this process to identify suspects, increase the likelihood of prosecution, and in some instances exonerate wrongly identified and prosecuted individuals. What then is the problem that law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense attorneys are running into concerning rape kits? Many are untested. 

During an investigation conducted by USA Today and a number of journalists from sister stations in summer of 2015, USA Today reported that there are at least 70,000 untested rape kits spreading across 1,000 police agencies. Although this has been one of the largest and most detailed inventories conducted on untested rape kits ever, there are still potentially hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits that have yet to be identified. The study did not reach the over 18,000 police departments nationwide during the investigation phase. To add to the number of untested rape kits, news reports state that there are still thirty-four states who have yet to count the number of untested rape kits in their possession. The problem is even greater in smaller, rural communities who are not equipped to handle rape kits appropriately. One of the hindrances to testing rape kits is that it costs approximately $1,000 per rape kit

Before the USA Today study, Congress attempted to address the issue when it unanimously enacted the SAFER Act in 2013. SAFER provides $45 million in resources to assist local police departments across the nation in testing rape kits by providing them with a greater percentage of the grant money to provide to each state under the Debbi Smith Act. In addition, the law establishes standards for tracking, storing, and using DNA evidence during sexual assault prosecution. 

Despite this new law, there are still potentially hundreds of thousands untested rape kits sitting in police agencies across the country waiting to be tested. Many critics are blaming the Department of Justice, stating that they have failed to provide the guidelines and funds to the states to address the issue. However, it is unclear who is to blame. Because of the confusion, some states have recently stepped up and taken actions into their own hands. For example, in New York City, the city had a backlog of approximately 17,000 untested rape kits. In response to this backlog, the city prioritized untested rape kits and developed a system to test every rape kit within their jurisdiction. As a result, the arrests for rape percentage increased significantly from 40% to 70%

If the SAFER Act is enforced and states are required to test all pending untested rape kits in their jurisdiction or if states begin testing themselves, it will have substantial effects on local practitioners. If untested rape kits begin to produce DNA profiles, then prosecutors must determine whether the case is prosecutable. If cities that have a backlog begin testing untested rape kits in an effort to decrease their backlog, prosecutors, the courts, and defense attorneys could see similar results to those in New York City: a significant increase in the number of rape arrests and investigations. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the untested rape kits will deliver a DNA profile, leaving a large number of potentially prosecutable cases in the hands of local prosecutors.


In the event cases associated with untested rape kits are deemed prosecutable, it will require prosecutors to reopen the case entirely by interviewing victims, obtain samples to confirm that the DNA is from the alleged perpetrator, and investigate the circumstances of the incident. Of the hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits, if even 50% of them create DNA profiles as the estimates suggest, prosecutors will see a significant increase in their caseload, especially in the cities with the deepest backlogs. In smaller, rural communities, practitioners could see their work load double. The courts as well as defense attorneys will also see a significant increase in sexual assault cases if prosecutors deem these cases prosecutable, increasing the number of cases that defense attorneys take on and the number of cases that the courts will have to hear. 

By Emma McArthur 
Senior Staffer

35 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. HOW I GET A LOAN HELP @ 2% INTEREST RATE With victoriafinancier@outlook.com

      I was not sure of getting a legit loan lender online But when i could not face my Debt any more, my son was on hospital bed for surgery that involve huge money and i also needed some money to refinance and get a good home then i have to seeks for Assistance from friends and when there was no hope any more i decide to go online to seek a loan and i find VICTORIA LAWSON Trust Loan Firm (victoriafinancier@outlook.com) with 2% interest Rate and applied immediately with my details as directed. Within seven Days of my application She wired my loan amount with No hidden charges and i could take care of my son medical bills, Renew my rent bill and pay off my debt. I will advice every loan seeker to contact VICTORIA LAWSON LOAN Company with victoriafinancier@outlook.com For easy and safe transaction.

      *Full Name:_________

      *Address:_________

      *Tell:_________

      *loan amount:_________

      *Loan duration:_________

      *Country:_________

      *Purpose of loan:_________

      *Monthly Income:__________

      *Occupation__________

      *Next of kin :_________

      *Email :_________

      Delete
  2. This is such an in fact cool blog; the piece of writing is truly precious for all of us. https://www.lawsuitlegal.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amazing !!! Its really a nice post. Thanks for sharing.
    Get more crime stories visit Professor Birdsong's Dumbest Criminals

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi guys! This is really fastidious blog, the great compilation of information that I enjoyed much. www.lawsuitlegal.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a great post. Thanks for your wonderful article! I think this is valuable and useful to us.

    Paket Umroh Januari 2016 | Paket Umroh Februari 2016 | Paket Umroh Maret 2016 | Paket Umroh April 2016 | Paket Umroh Mei 2016

    ReplyDelete
  6. The writer understand better the mind of people what they want to learn through their writing therefore this article is outstanding. Thanks!!! tritoncanada.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Admin ,Your post is very important of all. Thanks

    magix music maker crack

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great post. This article is really very interesting and enjoyable. I think its must be helpful and informative for us. Thanks for sharing your nice post. i social media service provider . I am selling those service on, please take a look buy real facebook likes

    ReplyDelete

  9. Thanks Admin
    This post can help us, I think we have a lot to learn. Weight Loss

    ReplyDelete

  10. Fantastic to hear that this got through! Thank you to all involved!
    Beauty Care parlor tips

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome article, Great, & Informative..Wonderful article you wrote.
    از مطلب خوبتون بسیار سپاسگذارم. اگر میخواهید به کشورهای تایلند، دبی، ارمنستان یا روسیه سفر کنید و اگر میخواهید تور ارمنستان یا تور دبی یا تور تایلند بخرید یا درباره تایلند یا درباره ارمنستان و درباره دبی بدانید، حتما قبل از سفر جستجو کنید و مطلع اقدام به سفر کنید. ضمنا تور روسیه تابستان 96 و تور بلغارستان تابستان 96 را از دست ندهید.

    ReplyDelete
  12. HOW I GET A LOAN HELP @ 2% INTEREST RATE With victoriafinancier@outlook.com

    I was not sure of getting a legit loan lender online But when i could not face my Debt any more, my son was on hospital bed for surgery that involve huge money and i also needed some money to refinance and get a good home then i have to seeks for Assistance from friends and when there was no hope any more i decide to go online to seek a loan and i find VICTORIA LAWSON Trust Loan Firm (victoriafinancier@outlook.com) with 2% interest Rate and applied immediately with my details as directed. Within seven Days of my application She wired my loan amount with No hidden charges and i could take care of my son medical bills, Renew my rent bill and pay off my debt. I will advice every loan seeker to contact VICTORIA LAWSON LOAN Company with victoriafinancier@outlook.com For easy and safe transaction.

    *Full Name:_________

    *Address:_________

    *Tell:_________

    *loan amount:_________

    *Loan duration:_________

    *Country:_________

    *Purpose of loan:_________

    *Monthly Income:__________

    *Occupation__________

    *Next of kin :_________

    *Email :_________

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for writing on such a sensitive topic. Keep updating.The Phoenix law firm of My AZ Legal Team, PLLC has a reputation for providing their clients with a wide range of legal services including, but not necessarily limited to, criminal law, DUI defense, bankruptcy, debt settlement, family law, and immigration.
    Arizona attorney

    ReplyDelete
  14. تور زمینی مشهد با قطارهای سیمرغ ، غزال و… برگزار میشود.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very informative blog and nice post. Keep updating.We offer free consultations in person at our convenient Tucson location or by phone. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request.
    tucson criminal defense attorney

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you,it is good material to read this post increases my knowledge. What a wonderful piece of information. Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am very enjoyed with this blog. Its an educational topic. It help me quite definitely to fix some problems. Its opportunity are very fantastic and working style so speedy.Best Drone Backpacks

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am bold enough among many others to state that there is now a potent cure to this sickness but many are unaware of it. I discovered that I was infected with the virus 3 months ago, after a medical check-up. My doctor told me and I was shocked, confused and felt like my world has crumbled. I was dying slowly due to the announcement of my medical practitioner but he assured me that I could leave a normal life if I took my medications (as there was no medically known cure to Herpes). I went from churches to churches but soon found that my case needed urgent attention as I was growing lean due to fear of dying anytime soon. In a bid to look for a lasting solution to my predicament, I sought for solutions from the herbal world. I went online and searched for every powerful trado-medical practitioner that I could severe, cos I heard that the African Herbs had a cure to the Herpes syndrome. It was after a little time searching the web that I came across one Dr Itua(A powerful African Herbal Doctor), who offered to help me at a monetary fee. I had to comply as this was my final bus-stop to receiving a perfect healing. My last resolve was to take my life by myself, should this plan fail. At last it worked out well. He gave me some steps to follow and I meticulously carried out all his instructions. Last month, to be precise, I went back to the hospital to conduct another test and to my amazement, the results showed that negative,Dr Itua Can As Well Cure The Following Desease…Cancer,Hiv,Herpes, Hepatitis B,Liver Inflammatory,Diabetis,Fribroid,,Non Hodgkin Lymphoma,Skin Cancer,Uterine Cancer,Prostate Cancer Dercum,Infertility,fibromyalgia,Get Your Ex Back,Als,SYPHILLIS,Genetic disease,Epilepsy, Parkinson's disease..You can free yourself of this Herpes virus by consulting this great African Herbal Doctor via this e-mail: drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com or call and whatsapp him on +2348149277967 He will help you and his herb medication is sure. he has the cure on all disease .You can talk to me on INSTAGRAM..tashamoore219....

    ReplyDelete
  19. QuickBooks has played a very important role in redefining the way you look at things now. By introducing so many versions namely Pro, Premier, Enterprise, Accountant, Payroll, POS etc. QuickBooks Payroll is one of the most desired software when it comes to dealing with one’s finances and managing it. This software has equipped almost all the QuickBooks users with so much of strength that they feel accomplished. QuickBooks Payroll is one such software that has instilled the correct sense of using your money and its management in the best possible manner.

    QuickBooks Payroll Support | QuickBooks Support | QuickBooks POS Support

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello!
    My website is about leather items such as leather bags,leather shoes,leather jackets,leather luggage and other accessories.Though its an new website..Leter many contents will be stayed here.
    One of my content here:
    10 Best Designer Tote Bags of Leather | (Review) for Women

    ReplyDelete
  21. If you are looking for a skilled Degital Marketer, it’s the right place for you. Please hire me option.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Well explained and informative blog.
    In these challenging times, we urge you to stay home and stay safe and dial 1-855-533-6333 QuickBooks Payroll Support whenever you face any technical issue in QuickBooks.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nice & Informative Blog ! Are You facing issue in quickbooks customer service phone number ? We resolve all sorts of issues with effective solutions provided by our QuickBooks experts. Just give a call on +1-855-533-6333

    ReplyDelete

  24. Struggling with Quickbooks Payroll Support Phone Number ? Fix it by dialling us at 1-855-533-6333. The error usually arrives due to improper installation of QuickBooks upgrading.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks author. What a wonderful piece of information. If anyone face any criminal related law, then you can contact criminal lawyer Winnipeg .

    ReplyDelete
  26. I want to thank Dr Emu a very powerful spell caster who help me to bring my husband back to me, few month ago i have a serious problem with my husband, to the extend that he left the house, and he started dating another woman and he stayed with the woman, i tried all i can to bring him back, but all my effort was useless until the day my friend came to my house and i told her every thing that had happened between me and my husband, then she told me of a powerful spell caster who help her when she was in the same problem I then contact Dr Emu and told him every thing and he told me not to worry my self again that my husband will come back to me after he has cast a spell on him, i thought it was a joke, after he had finish casting the spell, he told me that he had just finish casting the spell, to my greatest surprise within 48 hours, my husband really came back begging me to forgive him, if you need his help you can contact him with via email: Emutemple@gmail.com or add him up on his whatsapp +2347012841542 is willing to help any body that need his help.

    ReplyDelete
  27. A divorce lawyer can save you money in the long run. That’s why you should contact experienced lawyers like Family lawyer of Saskatoon .

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello everyone, Are you into trading or just wish to give it a try, please becareful on the platform you choose to invest on and the manager you choose to manage your account because that’s where failure starts from be wise. After reading so much comment i had to give trading tips a try, I have to come to the conclusion that binary options pays massively but the masses has refused to show us the right way to earn That’s why I have to give trading tips the accolades because they have been so helpful to traders . For a free masterclass strategy kindly contact (paytondyian699@gmail.com) for a free masterclass strategy. He'll give you a free tutors on how you can earn and recover your losses in trading for free..

    ReplyDelete
  29. Do you want to change your life? If so, this video is for you. You can watch the video with full attention to change your life as much as possible.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvWK9z-GZno

    ReplyDelete