Sheriff's Department Clears Rape Kit Backlog
Emmett McOsker
Officials at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Oct. 16, 2010, that they have completed counting and sorting nearly 5,000 rape kits, the backlog of which sparked controversy in 2008. The kits still need to be tested and processed, but the Sheriff’s Department is on track to clear the backlog some two years later, according to spokesman Steve Whitmore. The task was described by the Sheriff's Department as a collective effort on all levels of the department. Two years ago when the number of untested kits was first disclosed, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors urged the Sheriff’s Department to eliminate the backup, and agreed to help pay for the tests through the county’s general fund. Since then, 4,763 kits have been sent out for testing at various labs, department officials announced earlier this month. Once tested, authorities can search for matches through a national database – helping to find offenders still at large. The problem was caused by a poor monitoring system and now improved procedures have been implemented, according to the Sheriff's Department. The backlog needed to be cleared before a new system could be employed.
- Rape kit backlog: Build-up from 2008 of nearly 5,000 rape kits awaiting testing; results from rape kits are vital to identifying and convicting an attacker
- Sheriff's Dept. effort: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department effort to test and process backed-up rape kits. With the backlog eliminated, a new system may be implemented.
Additional Reading:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/10/rape-kits.html
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