Governor: Backlog cleared of sexual assualt kit tests in Alaska

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Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 8:43 PM

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Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Governor Dunleavy announced that the backlog of untested sexual assault examination kits, which began compiling in the mid-1990s, has been cleared.

Dunleavy made the announcement Friday. According to a release from his office, the backlog of untested sexual assault examination kits began compiling in the mid-1990s in state and local law enforcement districts.

Of the 2,493 previously unsubmitted, untested sexual assault examination kits received from local law enforcement agencies under the capital project, 2,442, have been tested. There are 51 kits, submitted to a lab in the final stages of testing to finish the project by December 31st.

The Governor’s plan, which he shared last August, includes the use of software and a tracking database to allow survivors and agencies involved in sexual assault response the ability to track the status and location of sexual assault examination kits. Dunleavy directed $850,000 toward the effort.

“We’ve put in place internal steps to prevent this kind of backlog from ever happening again and added resources to the State crime lab to ensure every kit is tested within 90 days or sooner,” he stated.

Dunleavy said he intends to introduce legislation in the upcoming legislative session to further address sexual assaults and violent offenses in Alaska.

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