An Examination of Sexual Assault Kit Submission Efficiencies Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Law Enforcement Agencies

Abstract

<jats:p> Drawing on results from a survey of 321 law enforcement agencies, we assess how labor and capital inputs, evidence policies, and other agency characteristics affect the number of sexual assault kits (SAKs) submitted to crime laboratories for testing. We examine to what extent agencies are submitting the maximum number of SAKs possible, given their available resources. Stochastic frontier models are used to analyze the productivity of labor inputs for the submission of SAKs and the extent to which resource inefficiencies contribute to unsubmitted SAKs. Results indicate that agencies are submitting fewer than 60% of SAKs that are possible given their resources. Full-time sworn officers were found to be productive inputs, as the number of SAKs submitted increases by 24% for every 100% increase in the number of officers. Findings also suggest that the accumulation of SAKs is driven partially by technical inefficiencies but more so by a lack of resources. </jats:p>

Public Knowledge and Perceptions About Unsubmitted and Untested Sexual Assault Kits

“…Further, they support the notion that victims of sexual violence deserve to have their kit tested. In regards to the cost of kits, it should be noted that the public is likely unaware of the specific details surrounding resource issues and funding structures available for testing and subsequent investigations as a result of testing (Davis et al, 2020; Davis et al, 2021; Hendrix et al, 2020; Mourtgos et al, 2021).…”

“…Given the potential benefits of testing kits for investigative leads, researchers have attempted to understand why kits went unsubmitted-and therefore, untested-for so long. Available jurisdictional resources for submission and testing is a necessary consideration (Campbell et al, 2017a;Campbell et al, 2017b;Hendrix et al, 2020;Lovrich et al, 2004;Strom & Hickman, 2010). According to Hendrix et al (2020), … the inability of agencies to process all the SAKs in their possession is largely driven by a lack of resources rather than by technical inefficiencies in processes used to collect, track, and submit the SAK evidence (p. 1108) Other researchers have recently made similar arguments that resources and funding systems are integral to the success of both the testing and investigation of sexual assault cases (Davis et al, 2020;Davis et al, 2021;Mourtgos et al, 2021).…”

“…Available jurisdictional resources for submission and testing is a necessary consideration (Campbell et al, 2017a;Campbell et al, 2017b;Hendrix et al, 2020;Lovrich et al, 2004;Strom & Hickman, 2010). According to Hendrix et al (2020), … the inability of agencies to process all the SAKs in their possession is largely driven by a lack of resources rather than by technical inefficiencies in processes used to collect, track, and submit the SAK evidence (p. 1108) Other researchers have recently made similar arguments that resources and funding systems are integral to the success of both the testing and investigation of sexual assault cases (Davis et al, 2020;Davis et al, 2021;Mourtgos et al, 2021). Campbell et al's (2017b) mixed-methods approach to studying Detroit's untested SAKs also uncovered resource deficiencies within the police department, prosecutor's office, crime lab, advocacy organizations, and medical response that contributed to-albeit did not explain entirely-the number of untested SAKs in the city.…”

“…Given the potential benefits of testing kits for investigative leads, researchers have attempted to understand why kits went unsubmitted—and therefore, untested—for so long. Available jurisdictional resources for submission and testing is a necessary consideration (Campbell et al, 2017a; Campbell et al, 2017b; Campbell et al, 2018; Hendrix et al, 2020; Lovrich et al, 2004; Strom & Hickman, 2010). According to Hendrix et al (2020),…”

“…Available jurisdictional resources for submission and testing is a necessary consideration (Campbell et al, 2017a; Campbell et al, 2017b; Campbell et al, 2018; Hendrix et al, 2020; Lovrich et al, 2004; Strom & Hickman, 2010). According to Hendrix et al (2020),…”