Michigan SAKI

With the completion of the statewide sexual assault kit (SAK) inventory, SAK testing, research projects, and case investigation, the Michigan State Police, in collaboration with Michigan State University and Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) in Ingham, Jackson, and Washtenaw Counties, have identified several challenges that require additional resources to successfully provide a victim-centered, statewide response to sexual assault. It is critical to continue to build capacity and maintain infrastructure to investigate, prosecute, and respond to SAKI cases, other sexual assault cold cases, and current sexual assault cases. A major component of this effort is to enhance support for Michigan’s SART, which include law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, and subject-matter experts who not only investigate and prosecute SAKI cases, but also share educational resources with justice system stakeholders (e.g., local police) on best practices in investigating both sexual assault and sexual assault cold cases. Indeed, SAKI data present a unique opportunity to understand sexual assault case progression from both the victim and offender perspectives as well as how the justice system performs. Justice system professionals can identify gaps in service while also developing knowledge that will help prevent future harm. This effort depends upon enhanced resources to review and analyze SAKI case and criminal history data, including entry of case information into ViCAP, to continue to broaden our understanding of sexual assault. Altogether, Michigan needs to continue to grow its SARTs, partner with local agencies, address the pandemic-related case backlog, and bolster evidence-based sexual assault investigative practices.

        The investigative process in jurisdictions that completed the SAKI inventory process is well underway. Through a partnership with the Michigan AG, Special Assistant Attorney Generals finished SAKI casework in Calhoun County, and are currently investigating and prosecuting cases in Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and Washtenaw Counties. Each team of investigators and prosecutors are working on multiple cases, several with pending charges and some that have completed the adjudication process. However, the COVID-19 pandemic was a massive interruption to both investigation and court processes. As a result of prolonged shutdown and prohibitions for in-person contact, there were substantial delays in case progress. Moreover, many local agencies within counties with active SARTs are struggling to find the resources just to respond to calls for service. Therefore, it is critical to extend our current infrastructure to build capacity for sexual assault cold case investigation and prosecution, especially in rural jurisdictions where resources are limited.

The investigative process in jurisdictions that completed the SAKI inventory process is well underway. Through a partnership with the Michigan AG, Special Assistant Attorney Generals finished SAKI casework in Calhoun County, and are currently investigating and prosecuting cases in Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and Washtenaw Counties. Each team of investigators and prosecutors are working on multiple cases, several with pending charges and some that have completed the adjudication process. However, the COVID-19 pandemic was a massive interruption to both investigation and court processes. As a result of prolonged shutdown and prohibitions for in-person contact, there were substantial delays in case progress. Moreover, many local agencies within counties with active Sexual Assault Response Teams are struggling to find the resources just to respond to calls for service. Therefore, it is critical to extend our current infrastructure to build capacity for sexual assault cold case investigation and prosecution, especially in rural jurisdictions where resources are limited.