U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Rape evidence kits

Just Improved Response to Sexual Assault

February 2023
Series
Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2023

In episode two of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, the Associate Dean of the Brigham Young University College of Nursing, to discuss the factors that contribute to low prosecution rates for sexual assault cases. In our last episode, Dr. Valentine highlighted the importance of sexual assault kit submission and DNA evidence as the groundwork for prosecution in sexual assault cases.

Transcript
Just Improved Response to Sexual Assault
Audio file
Just Improved Response To Sexual Assault

JustScience Podcast Season Overview: Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits

Just Science is excited to release our next season: Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits. This season takes a closer look at DNA collection in sexual assault cases, with an emphasis on analyzing the efficacy of at-home sexual assault kits. In this new season of Just Science, tune in as we speak to a range of subject matter experts – all with varying perspectives...

Just a Trauma-Informed Response to At-Home Sexual Assault Kits

February 2022

In the final episode of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, Lieutenant Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons to discuss at-home sexual assault kits through a victim-centered lens. Throughout this season, Just Science has spoken with various subject matter experts to discuss several perspectives posed by the use of at-home sexual assault evidence collection kits.

Transcript
Just a Trauma-Informed Response to At-Home Sexual Assault Kits
Audio file
Just A Trauma Informed Response To At Home Sexual Assault Kits

Just a Prosecutor’s Perspective on At-Home Kits

February 2022
Series
Perspectives on At-home Sexual Assault Kits

An introductory note for the interview advises that for many survivors of sexual violence, participation in the prosecution of a suspected offender can be a significant step in their healing process. Patti Powers has sought to counter sexual violence for just over 30 years.

Transcript
Just a Prosecutor’s Perspective on At-Home Kits
Audio file
Just A Prosecutor’s Perspective On At Home Kits

Just Analyzing At-Home Kits

February 2022
Series
Just Analyzing At-Home Kits

An introductory note for the interview advises that some of the most challenging cases to investigate involve sexual assault. The forensic evidence in such cases is critical and involves the cooperation of victims. Deputy Chief Mourtgos, who is both a researcher and a veteran police officer experienced in investigating sexual assault cases, discusses investigative issues in sexual assault cases, including the use of at-home sexual assault kits.

Transcript
Just Analyzing At-Home Kits
Audio file
Just Analyzing At Home Kits

Just Key Considerations for Investigations of Sexual Assault Cases

February 2022
Series
Perspectives on At-home Sexual Assault Kits

An introductory note for the interview advises that some of the most challenging cases to investigate involve sexual assault. The forensic evidence in such cases is critical and involves the cooperation of victims. Deputy Chief Mourtgos, who is both a researcher and a veteran police officer experienced in investigating sexual assault cases, discusses investigative issues in sexual assault cases, including the use of at-home sexual assault kits.

Transcript
Just Key Considerations for Investigations of Sexual Assault Cases
Audio file
Just Key Considerations for Investigations of Sexual Assault Cases

Just Addressing Child Sexual Violence

January 2022
Series
Perspectives on At-home Sexual Assault Kits

An introductory note indicates that Prevent Child Abuse Utah is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public on preventing and responding to child sexual abuse. Thorpe, the Executive Director, discusses her career in child abuse prevention and response, as well as whether she believes at-home kits should have a role in addressing child sexual violence. Thorpe states that her focus in the work of Prevent Child Abuse Utah, which is part of a network of such organizations in jurisdictions throughout the country, is the prevention of child abuse.

Transcript
Just Addressing Child Sexual Violence
Audio file
Just Addressing Child Sexual Violence

Just A Pediatrics Viewpoint On At-Home Sexual Assault Kits

January 2022
Series
Perspectives on At-home Sexual Assault Kits

In episode three of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Toni Laskey, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine and the division chief of the Center for Safe and Healthy Families at Primary Children's Hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four girls and one in 13 boys under the age of 18 will be a victim of sexual abuse over their lifetimes. Listen along as Dr.

Transcript
Just A Pediatrics Viewpoint On At-Home Sexual Assault Kits
Audio file
Just A Pediatrics Viewpoint On At Home Sexual Assault Kits

Just Supporting Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Cases

January 2022
Series
Perspectives on At-home Sexual Assault Kits

An introductory note indicates that as a researcher in sexual assault response reform and a sexual assault nurse examiner, Dr. Valentine is a subject-matter expert on collecting evidence in sexual assault cases. She discusses her work in sexual assault response reform and her perspective on the role of at-home SAKs in sexual assault cases. In discussing her current work and focus, she indicates that it pertains to SAKs and how they are managed in forensic science practice. She is currently involved in examining the prosecution of sexual assault cases.

Transcript
Just Supporting Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Cases
Audio file
Audio Just Supporting Evidence Collection In Sexual Assault Cases

Just the Intersection of At-Home Kits and Healing

January 2022
Series
Perspectives on At-home Sexual Assault kits

An introductory note for the interview states that Monica Gardner knows from experience that healing isn’t linear. She shares her struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, thoughts of self-harm, anxiety, and depression. She addresses the importance of therapy during the healing process and offers her perspective on at-home sexual assault kits performed without medical assistance or guidance. Monica notes that at-home kits give survivors the opportunity to proceed at their own pace without having to explain personal feelings, thoughts, and anxieties to a stranger.

Transcript
Just the Intersection of At-Home Kits and Healing
Audio file
Just The Intersection Of At Home Kits And Healing

Retrospective Study on DNA Analysis Findings from Sexual Assault Kits

January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This presentation by Julie Valentine, Brigham Young University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Idaho State Police Forensic Services Working with Researchers in Response to Sexual Assaults

January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This presentation by Matthew Gametter, Idaho State Police Forensic Services, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

A Window of Opportunity: How SAK Testing Could Prevent Future Crimes

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This presentation by Rebecca Campbell, Michigan State University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

The Economic Arguments Surrounding Sexual Assault Kit Testing

January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This presentation by Paul Speaker, West Virginia University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Transformative Collaborations: The Promise of Partnerships and the Response to Sexual Assault

January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This presentation by Lisa Bostaph, Boise State University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Enabling Effective Data Stewardship in Sexual Assault Forensic Services

January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This presentation by  Bruce Houlihan, Orange County Crime Laboratory, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Roundtable Discussion on Day 1 of A Virtual Workshop Discussing Response to Sexual Assault

January 2025
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This is one of 16 videos related to the workshop, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology This is one of 16 videos related to The Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Sexual Assault Kits: It’s Not As Easy As It Looks, and Moving Forward - Some of our Thoughts

January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This is one of 16 videos related to the workshop, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology This is one of 16 videos related to The Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022.

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Processing Sexual Assault Kits: Continual Improvement and Kit Tracking

January 2022
Series
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault

This is one of 16 videos related to the workshop, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology This is one of 16 videos related to The Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy