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In 2017, MECASA was awarded a grant through the Maine Department of Public Safety to complete a statewide study on the status of sexual assault kits in Maine, and to make recommendations to improve the system regarding sexual assault forensic evidence.
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MECASA convened an Advisory Group of statewide representatives from the state Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program; the Maine Crime Laboratory; the Chiefs of Police Association; the Maine State Police; the Prosecutor’s Association; the Sheriff’s Association; and sexual assault service providers.
The Advisory Group identified the Muskie School of Public Service’s Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy at the University of Southern Maine to conduct a statewide study over the course of 2018.
The researchers conducted surveys with law enforcement, advocates, and forensic nurses; assembled focus groups; conducted key informant interviews; and did a comparison of other states and national best practices. After nearly a year of work, they presented the Advisory Group with a final report and recommendations. While Maine has many effective systems for responding to sexual assault and processing crime kits – we have one of the lowest backlogs in the country – several ways were identified to improve systems to respond to sexual assault.
The Advisory Group has identified a range of action steps over the next two years in order to respond to the recommendations. While some proposals will take both time and significant investment, other action steps are already under way, and every member of the Advisory Group is supporting positive steps forward to improve Maine’s response to sexual assault.
The complete report is available here.
The ten recommendations include the following.
Recommendation #1: Invest state funding in the Maine State Police Crime Lab for dedicated staffing to provide ongoing analysis of sexual assault kits as needed to maintain minimal backlog.
Recommendation #2: Implement staffing incentives for recruitment of and retention of SAFEs.
Recommendation #3: Develop statewide standards for training of non-SAFE emergency department (ED) staff to provide medical-forensic exams.
Recommendation #4: Implement curriculum on sexual assault forensic evidence collection and provide it to all cadets as part of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Ensure ongoing training of law enforcement to include sexual assault response and handling of the SAK.
Recommendation #5: Develop legislative requirements for the retention of all sexual assault kits (reported and anonymous) by law enforcement for a minimum of the statute of limitations for gross sexual assault OR after all post-conviction options have been resolved, whichever is longer.
Recommendation #6: Develop and implement a statewide model policy for prosecutorial review of all sex crime cases with SAKS.
Recommendation #7: Develop, implement, and invest funding in a tracking system of SAKs.
Recommendation #8: Conduct an audit of all SAKs currently in storage at law enforcement statewide.
Recommendation #9: Review current victim notification procedures for all cases when a SAK has been collected, regardless of prosecution of the case.
Recommendation #10: Explore the status of regional Sexual Assault Response Teams and/or other multidisciplinary teams and increase use of case review.
The Advisory Group identified the Muskie School of Public Service’s Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy at the University of Southern Maine to conduct a statewide study over the course of 2018.
The researchers conducted surveys with law enforcement, advocates, and forensic nurses; assembled focus groups; conducted key informant interviews; and did a comparison of other states and national best practices. After nearly a year of work, they presented the Advisory Group with a final report and recommendations. While Maine has many effective systems for responding to sexual assault and processing crime kits – we have one of the lowest backlogs in the country – several ways were identified to improve systems to respond to sexual assault.
The Advisory Group has identified a range of action steps over the next two years in order to respond to the recommendations. While some proposals will take both time and significant investment, other action steps are already under way, and every member of the Advisory Group is supporting positive steps forward to improve Maine’s response to sexual assault.
The complete report is available here.
The ten recommendations include the following.
Recommendation #1: Invest state funding in the Maine State Police Crime Lab for dedicated staffing to provide ongoing analysis of sexual assault kits as needed to maintain minimal backlog.
Recommendation #2: Implement staffing incentives for recruitment of and retention of SAFEs.
Recommendation #3: Develop statewide standards for training of non-SAFE emergency department (ED) staff to provide medical-forensic exams.
Recommendation #4: Implement curriculum on sexual assault forensic evidence collection and provide it to all cadets as part of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Ensure ongoing training of law enforcement to include sexual assault response and handling of the SAK.
Recommendation #5: Develop legislative requirements for the retention of all sexual assault kits (reported and anonymous) by law enforcement for a minimum of the statute of limitations for gross sexual assault OR after all post-conviction options have been resolved, whichever is longer.
Recommendation #6: Develop and implement a statewide model policy for prosecutorial review of all sex crime cases with SAKS.
Recommendation #7: Develop, implement, and invest funding in a tracking system of SAKs.
Recommendation #8: Conduct an audit of all SAKs currently in storage at law enforcement statewide.
Recommendation #9: Review current victim notification procedures for all cases when a SAK has been collected, regardless of prosecution of the case.
Recommendation #10: Explore the status of regional Sexual Assault Response Teams and/or other multidisciplinary teams and increase use of case review.
