City of Austin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) - Investigation and Prosecution of Cold Case Sexually Motivated Crimes Project

The goal of this project is to help law enforcement and prosecutors address challenges associated with unresolved violent cold case crimes to reduce violent crime and increase public safety in the City of Austin. Program objectives are to investigate and prosecute violent sexual assault related cold case crimes; to provide training opportunities to increase interagency effectiveness and to advance the knowledge, skills and abilities of existing and new investigators, prosecutors, leadership, workgroup members, civilian analysts such as the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program and intelligence analysts, and support personnel; to facilitate dialog around pain points with investigative and prosecutorial work and arrive at understanding and consensus on moving cases through to disposition; to complete additional forensics testing in support of investigations and prosecutions; to support survivors and their families throughout the lengthy plea, trial and appellate processes; to enter all eligible criteria cases into Violent Criminal Apprehension Program and complete related analytical and investigative support functions; and to complete required Bureau of Justice Assistance reporting.