Rape kit backlog across the nation exposed in USAToday probe
A USAToday investigation finds tens of thousands of untested rape kits nationwide with evidence from over 70,000 cases identified across 1,000 police departments. It shows widespread gaps in guidelines, inconsistent testing, and legal failures since 2013 to boost testing and use DNA databases. Survivors urge mandatory testing to remove discretion from investigators and improve justice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joanie Scheske
St. Louis
Mark Frisella
Scheske
Ausa Today Media Network
Montgomery
Ala
Reno
Nev
Department of Justice
New York
Cleveland
Detroit
Sarah Haacke Byrd
Joyful Heart Foundation
Cold hits unlock years later rape case in NYC
A 1993 Queens rape case against Michael J. Brown hinged on long stored DNA evidence. After nine years in a freezer among 16,000 untested kits, advances in DNA tech and external databases produced a hit leading to Brown’s eventual justice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Michael J. Brown
New York City
Brown
Queens
NYPD
Michael Brown
How Sexual Assault Kit Testing Works
Forensic tests of sexual assault evidence kits have identified thousands of offenders since the 1990s. The article explains how testing the kit’s evidence helps link suspects to cases and support justice.
CODIS links spur surge in rape kit testing and indictments
The nationwide drive to test unsubmitted rape kits expands lab matches and arrests. CODIS helps investigators connect DNA to dozens of cases across states, with Ohio and Texas reporting hundreds of hits and convictions while many states lack testing laws and inventories. Local officials cite victim-blaming attitudes and mistrust as obstacles to submitting kits for analysis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
FBI
Maryland
New York
Ohio
Mike DeWine
Houston
Colorado
New York State Assembly
Linda Rosenthal
State Department of Criminal Justice Services
USA Today
DNA match ends fear for Virginia rape survivor
Debbie Smith of Williamsburg recalls the 1989 attack and a DNA test that finally identified her assailant, who was imprisoned in Maryland for another crime. The case highlights ongoing flaws in rape kit analyses as thousands seek justice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Debbie Smith
Williamsburg
Smith
Maryland
Inconsistent rape kit testing across agencies in Jackson
Interviews and case reviews show rape kit testing is arbitrary and uneven. In Jackson Tennessee, tests were skipped when suspects were known or when no suspect existed yet testing could ID a suspect. Officials blame lack of coop from victims, while advocates urge preserving forensic evidence for possible future charges.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jackson
Tenn
Mai Fernandez
National Crime Victims Center
Washington
Fernandez
Failure to Act on Untested Rape Kits Spurs Debate
Law enforcement defends leaving rape kits untested due to cost and resource shifts. Phoenix PD reports 1,782 untested kits since 2000 while advocates push universal testing for patterns in serial cases. Congress funded backlog reduction but no grants issued. state and local officials increasingly push mandatory testing amid rising cold hits and calls for policy change.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Trent Crump
Phoenix
Scott Berkowitz
Congress
Justice Department
John Cornyn
Texas
Local USA TODAY edition partnership note
The local USA TODAY edition is published daily in partnership with Gannett Sto. The brief item notes ongoing collaboration to provide regional content through the daily edition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
USA Today
Brent Jones
Usatoday
Gannett Sto
Associated Press
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