State Auditor Adam Edelen says getting an accurate count of the state’s untested rape kits is “the most important” thing his office will do this year. The top taxpayer watchdog plans to start investigating in the next few weeks.
Official estimations put the backlog of rape kits, which are used to provide physical evidence in sexual assault cases, somewhere between 2,000 and 5,000. In an interview with cn|2 Pure Politics, Edelen said it’s time to get a handle on the problem.
"Having the rape kit performed is a really difficult position for someone who is a victim to go through and I think the least the government owes victims or alleged victims is making sure that they count and that we literally keep track of these rape kits," he said.
In addition to cataloging the number of kits, Edelen’s office will be tasked with making recommendations for improving the system.
Clearing the backlog, he says, will help bring repeat sexual offenders to justice.
