BJA FY24 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative

The Tulsa Police Department (TPD) is pleased to present this application for the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Project. The proposed project will allow TPD to continue to test, track, and investigate unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs), with the goal of reopening cases for prosecution.

Project activities will include the following: test and track SAKs, continue the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cold cases, enter all “criteria cases” into the FBI's Violent Criminal Apprehension Program database (ViCAP), conduct searches and analysis within ViCAP to produce leads on cases, enter DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System, strengthen and utilize the Tulsa County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), and build and sustain TPD’s victim-centered, trauma-informed response.

The awarding of the grant will also support the strengthening of TPD’s high standard of trauma-informed practice in relation to victim engagement, investigation, and the prosecution of sexually based crimes. Investigators from both TPD and subrecipient Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office will follow the victim notification protocols developed by the SART as they reopen cases for investigation.