Results Of A Statewide Inventory Of Untested Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits
Raleigh – Attorney General Josh Stein, along with State Crime Lab Director John Byrd, announced the results of a statewide inventory of untested sexual assault evidence collection kits (SAECKs) in law enforcement custody across the state.
Session Law 2017-57 required every law enforcement agency in North Carolina to report to the State Crime Lab the number of untested kits it has in its custody. The Department of Justice compiled the results of this inventory in a report sent to the General Assembly.
“Testing sexual assault kits is critical to hold criminals accountable, secure justice for victims, and prevent crime,” said Attorney General Stein. “Now that we know how many untested kits there are, the state can work to develop and implement a plan to test these kits. Victims of sexual assault deserve no less.”
The inventory found that at the end of 2017, there were 15,160 untested sexual assault kits in North Carolina in the custody of local law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Justice made the following recommendations for improving the process by which victims of sexual assault get the justice they deserve:
– Develop a protocol to test all kits reported to law enforcement going forward
– Institute a statewide sexual assault evidence collection kit tracking system
– Test all reported kits currently in law enforcement custody
Type & Number Of Untested Kits Statewide
The victim wished to remain anonymous and did not report the incident to the authorities: 390
The kit was tied to a case that had been resolved in court, whether by conviction, dismissal, or any other matter: 2,741
The suspect admitted to the sexual act in question: 1,054
The allegations were determined to be unfounded as a result of further investigation: 3,820
Kits law enforcement agencies did not place in the above categories: 7,155
Total Untested Kits In NC: 15,160
Moore County Law Enforcement Agency Untested Kits
Aberdeen Police Department: 1 Unfounded
Cameron Police Department: (No Report Filed)
Carthage Police Department: 1 Suspect Admission
Foxfire Police Department: (No Report Filed)
Pinebluff Police Department: 0
Pinehurst Police Department: 1 Unfounded
Robbins Police Department: 4 Unfounded
Southern Pines Police Department: 14 (6 resolved in court, 6 unfounded, 2 other)
Taylortown: 2 (1 resolved in court, 1 other)
Vass Police Department: 0
Moore County Sheriff’s Department: 2 (1 resolved in court, 1 suspect admission)
Total Untested Kits In Moore County: 25
12 Unfounded
2 Suspect Admission
8 Resolved In Court
3 Other Category
The full report can be viewed here.
