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> ...unprocessed "rape kits" being but one concrete evidence... The size of the "backlog" is an impressive number, but it was my understanding that it is prima
by woodman 11y ago
> ...unprocessed "rape kits" being but one concrete evidence...
The size of the "backlog" is an impressive number, but it was my understanding that it is primarily due to policies that lead to collection by default - regardless of actual need. Like when the perpetrator of the crime confesses, or when the DA determines that the rape kit isn't evidence of rape. Collecting by default makes sense as it is a time sensitive issue, but there are plenty of good reasons not to process the kit. If you think that processing should be done by default that is one thing, but lack of processing certainly isn't "concrete evidence" of police apathy.
- ceejayoz 11y agohttp://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2015/09/02/rape-kit-testing/71561958/ http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2015/... > Forensic experts at the Michigan State Police have been helping to clear the backlog, with the help of millions of dollars in funding appropriated by the Legislature. > Worthy said Detroit's kit-testing initiative has identified 2,616 suspects — including 477 serial rapists — and that 21 convictions have been secured. She said 106 cases are actively being investigated and 1,350 cases are awaiting investigation.
- woodman 11y agoLike I said, the numbers are impressive, but they don't really provide much information. Look at the way that sentence is structured: those "identified", were they previously unknown? I think the 21 convictions is the only real meaningful part of that story - because the meaning is unambiguous. While it is a shame that a rapist can run around free while evidence is in hand, (21 / 11341) x 100 = 0.19%. Not nearly as impressive as "11,341 examples of why cops don't care!".