News

Fort Hood soldier arrested in year-old murder case
— Hannah Hall, KWTX 10, Nov 4, 2020

DNA evidence and investigative work lead to an arrest in a cold case murder from 2019 in Killen.

Grant helps Fayetteville police send backlog of sexual assault kits to be tested, leading to arrest in pair of 1990 rapes
— Kayla Strayer, CBS 17, Oct 28, 2020

DNA from previously unsubmitted SAKs in lead to arrest of suspect in two rape cases in Fayetteville, NC. “Things like this are what keep me going, and the fact that I can say, ‘hey I closed a 1990 case’,” Fayetteville Police Detective Danielle Kocher said. “Keep grinding with all the other cold cases I have, and a few currents I have as well.”

Missoula police: DNA evidence closes 1974 cold case
— Seaborn Larson, Missolulian, Oct 26, 2020

DNA technology has led law enforcement officers to a suspect in the February 1974 killing of a 5-year-old Missoula girl. "Undoubtedly, the last 46 years have been a difficult journey," White said. "We never gave up on Siobhan or finding justice for her. While we were unable to bring the suspect to justice for his crimes, we hope identifying the suspect will bring a small amount of closure to you and help you heal." - Police Chief Jaeson White

Iowa rolls out new system to track sexual assault test kits
— KWQC 7, Oct 24, 2020

Iowa officials are rolling out a new system to track sexual assault evidence collection kits. Currently, 75% of law enforcement have access to the system. Each person examined for sexual assault evidence also will be given a login to track the progress of their kit.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutors find a way to keep hope alive for sexual assault victims in cases where suspects are still unidentified decades later
— Hannah Catlette, 19 News, Oct 22, 2020

The Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office says it’s armed with new resources they say will help them track down violent rapists, who have yet to face punishment. They have created a map with pins for each of their top 20 unsolved cold case sexual assaults.

SAKI Grant and Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit Arrests
— Durham Police Department, Oct 20, 2020

Durham PD's Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit has filed charges against 11 people in connection with 15 sexual assault cases going back as far as 1984. In some cases, investigators were able to identify serial offenders.

Rapist sentenced, survivor gets justice nearly 18 years after brutal Akron attack
— Bob Jones, News 5 Cleveland, Oct 16, 2020

The case went unsolved for many years, but a DNA sample in the CODIS database ultimately linked the already imprisoned Keys to the Akron attack. He has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for the 2002 sexual assault.

Casual chat between prosecutors triggers indictment for a 1975 New Orleans rape
— Orleans Parish DA's Office, Oct 8, 2020

District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office on Thursday (Oct. 8) secured an indictment against a man linked by DNA results to the 1975 sexual assault of a Tulane University student who was raped at gunpoint in her Uptown New Orleans apartment. The 45-year old case was cracked open based on conversations between Cuyahoga County SAKI site and Orleans Parish SAKI site during the 2019 Assembly of Cities.

Man charged with sexually assaulting teenage girl in Holt in 2005
— Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal, Oct 7, 2020

DNA evidence leads to arrest in sexual assault case from 2005.

Michigan man charged with 2010 sexual assault
— WILK, Sep 30, 2020

DNA from a previously unsubmitted SAK leads to arrest in case from 2010.