How much justice is denied? An estimate of unsubmitted sexual assault kits in the United States

Kevin Strom, Thomas Scott, Hannah Feeney, Amanda Young, Lance Couzens and Marcus Berzofsky

Journal of Criminal Justice, 2021, vol. 73, issue C

Abstract: Prior national, state, and local investigations of law enforcement agencies have revealed large stockpiles of sexual assault kits (SAKs) that were not submitted to a laboratory for forensic testing. The failure to submit these SAKs has resulted in incomplete investigations for sexual assault victims and a lack of accountability for sexual assault offenders. To direct national policy aimed at testing these kits and reducing future stockpiles, it is essential to realize the magnitude of the problem.

Keywords: Unsubmitted sexual assault kit; Rape kit backlog; Sexual assault forensic evidence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:73:y:2021:i:c:s0047235220302403

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2020.101746

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