Police Department

SPD Concludes Sexual Assault Kit Testing Program

Julie Humphreys, 509.622.5868

Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 3:24 p.m.

In early 2021, SPD began a review of cold case sexual assaults under a state mandated initiative calling for law enforcement agencies to submit backlogged sexual assault kits (SAK) for testing. Dubbed the SAK3 Project, the goal was to address the high number of unsubmitted SAKs throughout the state and to help provide resolution for victims of sexual assault. The cases included sexual assault reports filed July 24, 2015 and prior. For SPD that consisted of 1,404 SAKs dating back to 1984. The SAKs were stored as evidence over the years and as part of the initiative, submitted to the Washington State Patrol which contracted with a private lab for testing as capacity allowed.

SPD had already begun a more focused approach to SAK testing and the corresponding follow-up investigation when additional funding became available through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). Grant dollars allowed SPD to assign a Detective Sergeant and a Detective to work assault cases whenever possible, while still dealing with current and cold case homicides and other duties. Assigning two investigators to cold case sexual assault cases allowed SPD to move ahead and work the backlogged cases with a dedicated intentionality. That effort included determining which cases were likely solvable or may result in a meaningful conclusion, and which ones warranted closing out. Detectives undertook the delicate work of contacting victims, many whose assaults happened long ago, to inform them their case was being reviewed. Some victims wanted nothing more to do with their traumatic experience and no longer wished to pursue criminal charges against their attackers. Others provided information to detectives based on recollections. Detectives set up a special phone line and email for victims to contact them and aid in investigations.

The WASPC grant funding ended on June 30, 2023 and SPD is pleased with the outcomes of the project and the work completed. 1,250 of the 1,404 cases are completely resolved. The 154 cases that aren't are mostly waiting on lab report returns. Other highlights of the SAK3 Project, as of 6/28/2023 include;

1,381 of 1,404 identified kits are tested, leaving just 23 yet to be tested. The final push for the remaining kit tests is taking place and lab reports will most likely trickle in in the next months or years. SPD will continue to evaluate lab results and review cases for possible further criminal investigation.

297 CODIS hits were found. Testing of SAKs includes determining whether the DNA sample in the kit is a CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) hit. In other words, does DNA evidence from the assault kit match DNA on file from known offenders. Many of the CODIS hits identified consensual partners with whom the victims were previously involved. Also, in many of the cases, the identity of the offender was initially known. Some of these CODIS hits reflected the identity of these known suspects. Therefore a CODIS hit does not, by itself, indicate all elements of rape are met, as required by state law. Rather it is evidence that a person's identity can be verified and that the sample indicates a specific act was committed between two people or upon a person

Approximately 65 referrals were made to Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW). LCSNW is an invaluable partner with SPD in promoting advocacy for victims/survivors. Although some victims contacted did not accept a referral to LCSNW, many victims did. They expressed a great deal of gratitude for this service.

Additionally;
4 criminal defendants were identified
6 criminal charges were filed including rape, assault, and kidnapping.
1 homicide suspect out of California was identified from a DNA profile developed from a SAK3 case.

Case profile – a DNA match recently helped SPD detectives find a suspect in a 2004 rape. The man is in prison for a previous rape but before he was incarcerated, he allegedly committed another rape. The DNA match provided evidence to resume the investigation for the 2004 case. This individual has been charged with First Degree Rape and Second Degree Assault. This case is pending trial.

It is the mission and goal of the project to seek a just resolution for survivors of sexual assault. SPD is proud to have been a recipient of the WASPC grant that allowed detectives to achieve that goal in hundreds of sexual assault cold cases.

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