Michigan may start tracking its sexual assault evidence kits. An amendment to the state’s budget would pay for the required software and training.
The kits contain swabs and other evidence gathered from a victim of sexual assault.
Software would track the kit as it moves from place to place – It’s a lot like tracking your order from an online store.
The system is meant to prevent backlogs of untested kits.
Republican Representative Lara Cox sponsored the amendment.
“It’s gonna open up an opportunity for checks and balances and that’s absolutely what we need for these. These are very, very important kits.”
Last year the Attorney General’s office found more than 18-hundred untested kits in Michigan.
Several key stake holders would be able to track the kits – including victims.
Jeffrey Nye is with the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division. He says survivors should be able to keep track of where their kit is. Right now, that’s not an option.
“There’s no ability for the victim or the survivor to be their own best advocate to monitor that process along the way.”
Debi Cain is the executive director for a state board on domestic and sexual violence. She says the tracking would empower victims.
“It gives them control of their lives in a time that all control has been taken away. Your world has been rocked by that.”
The measure was voted out of a committee Wednesday. The next step is a vote in the state House.