400,000 Rape Kit Backlog
The Department of Justice says there are around 400,000 rape kits that are being untested around the country. In 2001 after New York City processed its 17,000 backlog their arrest rate for rape cases increased from 40 to 70 percent. Also in Detroit they analyzed the first 10 percent of their 11,000 backlog which led them to 46 serial rapists. Local authorities cannot afford to process all their kits containing DNA that could lead to convictions. Testing a rape kit could cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500. The White House announced an initiative to devote 35 million of the 2015 budget to processing unopened kits. Reopening of these kits could make a difference since rapists have one of the highest recidivism rates. These women go through exams that can take up to four hours and some will never hear anything about it because it can’t be processed.
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Source: New Republic
[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 031314]