What Happens to the Rape Kit After the Exam?
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2024 6:34 am
The process of handling and testing rape kits after a forensic exam differs by state, with each state having its own laws and protocols.
For example, in Florida, a law passed in 2021 requiring law enforcement to submit rape kits to labs within 30 days. Additionally, the law created a 120-day mandatory turnaround time for kit testing, ensuring evidence can be processed in a timely manner, reducing the backlog of untested kits, and increasing the chances of identifying the perpetrator.
In New York, the Sexual Assault Victim Bill of Rights was list of armenia whatsapp phone numbers amended in 2019 giving survivors the right to be informed whether a DNA match existed in the national database. Survivors are also notified at least 90 days before the expiration of the 20-year storage period for their kit.
In California, law enforcement agencies must submit a Sexual Assault Evidence (SAE) kit to a laboratory for testing within 20 days. Additionally, crime laboratories must process SAE kits and upload DNA profiles within 120 days.
California also created a database that tracks information regarding the status, location, and processing milestones of sexual assault kits, promoting transparency and accountability in the handling of rape kits.
In a lawsuit, the rape kit may serve as crucial evidence. The DNA collected from the kit can be compared to databases, such as the national DNA database, to identify the perpetrator or find a link to other crimes.
The analysis of the evidence may also corroborate the survivor’s account of the assault, strengthening their case in civil court. Proper handling, testing, and preserving rape kits helps maintain the integrity and efficacy of the evidence in legal proceedings.
For example, in Florida, a law passed in 2021 requiring law enforcement to submit rape kits to labs within 30 days. Additionally, the law created a 120-day mandatory turnaround time for kit testing, ensuring evidence can be processed in a timely manner, reducing the backlog of untested kits, and increasing the chances of identifying the perpetrator.
In New York, the Sexual Assault Victim Bill of Rights was list of armenia whatsapp phone numbers amended in 2019 giving survivors the right to be informed whether a DNA match existed in the national database. Survivors are also notified at least 90 days before the expiration of the 20-year storage period for their kit.
In California, law enforcement agencies must submit a Sexual Assault Evidence (SAE) kit to a laboratory for testing within 20 days. Additionally, crime laboratories must process SAE kits and upload DNA profiles within 120 days.
California also created a database that tracks information regarding the status, location, and processing milestones of sexual assault kits, promoting transparency and accountability in the handling of rape kits.
In a lawsuit, the rape kit may serve as crucial evidence. The DNA collected from the kit can be compared to databases, such as the national DNA database, to identify the perpetrator or find a link to other crimes.
The analysis of the evidence may also corroborate the survivor’s account of the assault, strengthening their case in civil court. Proper handling, testing, and preserving rape kits helps maintain the integrity and efficacy of the evidence in legal proceedings.