U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Untested Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases
NCJ Number
              251588

Date Published

March 2016
Length
              6 pages
Annotation
              After reviewing the widespread problem among U.S. law enforcement agencies of backlogs of sexual assault kits (SAKs) that have not been submitted to crime laboratories for testing, this paper reviews the methodology and findings of action-research projects in Detroit, MI, and Houston, TX, intended to find solutions to this problem.
Abstract
              An overview of this problem focuses on reasons for the prevalence of SAK backlogs. In 2011, NIJ awarded action-research grants to the Houston Police Department and the Detroit Prosecutor's Office. Both sites formed multidisciplinary teams to examine the SAK backlogs and then develop effective, sustainable responses for addressing the problem. One of the most important findings from both jurisdictions is the value of forming multidisciplinary teams to address the issue. This paper also reports on a NIJ-funded study in Los Angeles, which examined the role of DNA testing of SAKs in the backlog. This study assessed the efficacy of DNA testing and determined the criminal justice outcomes from testing SAKs in the backlog (arrest, charge, convictions) within the first 6 months after the kits were tested for DNA. The study unexpectedly found that in the first 6 months after testing 371 SAKs, no new arrests were made; new charges were filed in only one case, and there were two convictions. Further, it is probable that the DNA testing was not responsible for the single filing or the two convictions. A similar study in New Orleans is also summarized. This paper provides online access to reports on these projects.
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2011-DN-BX-0001


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Technical Assistance)
                                Report (Summary)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        The Detroit Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Action Research Project
    
  
  
Date Published: March 1, 2016
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Courts
        DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
        DNA typing
        Forensic laboratories
        Forensic sciences



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Experimental Results on Data Analysis Algorithms for Extracting and Interpreting Edge Feature Data for Duct Tape and Textile Physical Fit Examinations
                  Technical Note – Microcrystal Tests
                  Investigating Root Causes of School Violence: A Case-Control Study of School Violence Offenders, Non-School Youth Violence Offenders, and Non-Offending Youths
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov