More than half of the total back-logged inventory of rape kits have now been analyzed or are awaiting analysis at labs, the city’s Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Taskforce revealed today.
This month’s report shows that 53 percent of the kits have been tested or are at labs. As a result of the DNA tests conducted so far, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) has initiated 566 investigations — 163 are active and 403 have closed. Those closed investigations have netted 98 indictment requests of known individuals or for DNA profiles. There have been 58 suspects identified, and 26 of them are multi-case offenders.
The $1 million sexual assault kit storage facility is nearing completion, and the SAK Taskforce expects it will be ready for move-in by late July.
The MPD is asking anyone who has previously reported a sexual assault to call their hotline and check on the status of their case. That number is 901-636-3438.
