Michigan SAKI

The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and prosecutor’s offices to support multidisciplinary community response teams engaged in the comprehensive reform of jurisdictions’ approaches to sexual assault cases resulting from evidence found in previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs) - i.e. those SAKs that have never been submitted to a crime laboratory.

The goal of the SAKI is the creation of a coordinated community response that ensures just resolution to these cases whenever possible through a victim-centered approach, as well as to build jurisdictions’ capacity to prevent the development of conditions that lead to high numbers of unsubmitted SAKs in the future. The holistic program provides jurisdictions with resources to address their unsubmitted SAK issue, including support to inventory, test, and track SAKs; create and report performance metrics; access necessary training to increase effectiveness in addressing the complex issues associated with these cases and engage in multidisciplinary policy development, implementation, and coordination; and improve practices related to investigation, prosecution, and victim engagement and support in connection with evidence and cases resulting from the testing process.

The Michigan State Police will use this 2015 SAKI award to address the growing number of unsubmitteed SAKs in law enforcement custody in Michigan and prevent future accumulations. MSP will complete an inventory and track unsubmitted SAKs throughout the state; prevent future unsubmitted SAKs in Michigan by creating a statewide and transparent SAK tracking process that allows criminal justice professionals and victims to learn the testing and storage status of a submitted SAK; and provide technical assistance, consultation, education and resources to law enforcement, prosecutors, and sexual assault advocacy programs to ensure all participants/disciplines are prepared to respond to the evidence emerging from unsubmitted SAKs in a victim-centered approach. BJA SAKI funds will be used to allow the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan (PAAM) to hire employees to conduct the inventory, develop new training curriculum, and provide enhanced victim services in target areas with high volume of unsubmitted SAKs discovered during the inventory; development of the tracking system; fund training and travel expenses; and other costs necessary for project implementation.

CA/NCF

The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors offices to support multidisciplinary community response teams engaged in the comprehensive reform of jurisdictions approaches to sexual assault cases resulting from evidence found in previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs) - i.e. those SAKs that have never been submitted to a crime laboratory. The goal of the SAKI is the creation of a coordinated community response that ensures just resolution to these cases whenever possible through a victim-centered approach, as well as to build jurisdictions capacity to prevent the development of conditions that lead to high numbers of unsubmitted SAKs in the future. The holistic program provides jurisdictions with resources to address their unsubmitted SAK issue, including support to inventory, test, and track SAKs; create and report performance metrics; access necessary training to increase effectiveness in addressing the complex issues associated with these cases and engage in multidisciplinary policy development, implementation, and coordination; and improve practices related to investigation, prosecution, and victim engagement and support in connection with evidence and cases resulting from the testing process. The Michigan State Police will use this 2015 SAKI award to address the growing number of unsubmitteed SAKs in law enforcement custody in Michigan and prevent future accumulations. MSP will complete an inventory and track unsubmitted SAKs throughout the state; prevent future unsubmitted SAKs in Michigan by creating a statewide and transparent SAK tracking process that allows criminal justice professionals and victims to learn the testing and storage status of a submitted SAK; and provide technical assistance, consultation, education and resources to law enforcement, prosecutors, and sexual assault advocacy programs to ensure all participants/disciplines are prepared to respond to the evidence emerging from unsubmitted SAKs in a victim-centered approach. BJA SAKI funds will be used to allow the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM) to hire employees to conduct the inventory, develop new training curriculum, and provide enhanced victim services in target areas with high volume of unsubmitted SAKs discovered during the inventory; development of the tracking system; fund training and travel expenses; and other costs necessary for project implementation. CA/NCF