Bode Technology to Perform DNA Analysis on Backlogged Rape Kits
Model collaboration program initiated with Natasha's Justice Project and the Alameda County District Attorney's Office
LORTON, Va., Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bode Technology Group, Inc. (Bode), a leading provider of forensic DNA services, announced today sexual assault kits (rape kits) from the Alameda County rape kit backlog were shipped to Bode for DNA analysis under a multi-agency collaboration. This collaboration will serve as a model towards clearing the backlog of untested kits in the county. Having processed more than 20,000 sexual assault kits as a part of Bode's Sexual Assault Backlog Reduction Program, Bode continues working with crime laboratories across the United States, District Attorney's offices and investigators to clear the backlogs and bring perpetrators to justice. This current effort is a result of partnerships between Bode, Natasha's Justice Project (NJP), Alameda County Sheriff's Office Crime Laboratory, and the Alameda County DA's Office.
"The Alameda District Attorney's Office is proud to partner with Bode and NJP in eliminating the backlog of rape kits in our county. Survivors of sexual assaults deserve every effort we can make to bring them justice and closure by analyzing these rape kits and society deserves our protection to remove sex offenders from our community. Our efforts in Alameda County will serve as a model for all communities working to eliminate their own backlogs of rape kits and to create a sustainable model that prevents backlogs from occurring," said District Attorney Nancy O'Malley.
There are an estimated 400,000 untested rape kits currently in the United States and only 25% of rapes lead to an arrest due in part to the sexual assault kits not being processed. Much of the issue is that kits remain in police custody and are never submitted to laboratories for testing for various reasons. More agencies are recognizing the investigative value of processing kits from stranger rapes, acquaintance rapes, and even closed cases. As a result, public crime laboratories may experience a surge in requests to clear the backlog.
"Every kit represents a potential rapist, a criminal who can be put behind bars, a criminal who may be walking the streets. The evidence in the kit can get a violent criminal off the street and provide closure to one or many survivors," said Natasha Alexenko, Spokesperson for Natasha's Justice Project. "Additionally, processing these kits will continue to encourage rape victims to report the crimes."
Through experience processing backlogged sexual assault cases across the United States, Bode has developed forward-thinking approaches that include screening kits for male DNA to eliminate bottlenecks associated with traditional serological screening methods. Using a direct-to-DNA approach, the cost and time required to process sexual assault DNA evidence has been drastically reduced.
"Outsourcing backlogged kits and utilizing this direct-to-DNA approach enables communities with rape kit backlog concerns to most affordably and efficiently develop DNA profiles to identify perpetrators," said Mike Cariola, CEO and President of Bode. "These efforts help balance the surge in processing requests coming into public crime laboratories and enable them to continue to manage efforts and process their current caseloads."
About The Bode Technology Group, Inc.
Bode (http://www.bodetech.com) operates one of the most internationally respected private DNA laboratories and provides a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art forensic DNA collection products, DNA analysis services, and research services to law enforcement, the justice system and other government agencies around the world. Bode is one of the few private facilities worldwide to receive ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from both the American Society of Crime Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB-International Program) and the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board/FQS for forensic testing.
Bode is one of the three wholly owned subsidiaries of SolutionPoint International, Inc. (www.solutionpoint-intl.com), a leading provider of business intelligence, security, compliance and monitoring, identity assurance, forensics, and situational awareness solutions for the commercial and government sectors on a worldwide basis.
SOURCE The Bode Technology Group, Inc.
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