A rape kit goes by many names - a sexual assault kit, a sexual forensic evidence kit, a physical evidence recovery kit, etc. - and is the gathering of evidence by medical professionals after an alleged sexual assault. It is a very invasive and long examination (sometimes up to five hours) and the goal is that DNA evidence from these examinations can be tested and given to law enforcement. There are a few instances in which these kits do not yield DNA evidence, including the improper storage of the kit or if too much time passed between the assault and the examination.

 

Unfortunately, these kits aren’t always tested immediately and end up in storage. The statute of limitations for rape varies by state and only half the country does not have a statute in place. States that do have a statute of limitations for rape have an exception if a match is found in the DNA database after the general statute runs out. If a rapist get away with their crimes, they could escalate, maybe even to murder. 

​

The Joyful Heart Foundation estimates that hundreds of thousands of rape kits sit untested in police department and crime lab storage facilities across the country. Through the initiative “End the Backlog,” the foundation aims to count, test and track all rape kits in the U.S. Results are impressive so far: in Detroit, 2,616 matches have been made on the DNA database, identifying 770 potential serial rapists who have committed crimes in 40 states and Washington, D.C. and  Cleveland has submitted 4,373 kits for testing which have yielded 1,898 matches in the DNA database. More than 515 defendants have been indicted as a result.

 

To learn more about “End the Backlog” and find out how you can help and/or donate, check out the website.