Nearly 5,000 rape kits untested in Missouri, according to audit
Almost 5,000 kits filled with evidence of possible sexual assaults remain untested in Missouri, according to an audit done by the state’s attorney general.
Attorney General Josh Hawley presented the preliminary results of the audit on Thursday at a news conference. Hawley’s office began reviewing how many evidence kits, often called “rape kits,” were being held by law enforcement departments, hospitals and evidence testing labs across the state last November.
ABC 17 News has reported on the severe backlog, and the effects it has on survivors of sexual assault and the criminal justice system tasked with holding perpetrators accountable. Advocates for survivors said there are no clear policies for health care professionals that perform the exams to collect evidence of possible sexual assaults or law enforcement agencies on how to handle those kits.
Hawley said there may be more than the estimated 4,889 kits that have not been submitted for DNA analysis. Some law enforcement agencies did not reply to their request, Hawley said, while others had to guess on the number of untested kits they had. Hawley said getting the kits tested is vital for prosecutors to find those responsible for sexually violent attacks.
“For victims, these kits represent an act of bravery,” Hawley said. “For law enforcement, these kits represent a chance to put criminals behind bars.”
Hawley said his office applied for a $3 million federal grant to help them improve tracking of the rape kits and train people responsible for handling the kits. Colleen Coble, CEO of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said those initiatives could improve the reporting of sexual assaults when they happen.
“When we respond with respect and effectiveness to survivors, [survivors] will participate in the criminal justice system,” Coble said.
Legislation passed by the General Assembly this year would require law enforcement to hold on to rape kits for 30 years, or until the criminal case associated with them is completed.
