Maryland Launches Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking System Baltimore Sun Maryland has launched a statewide sexual assault evidence tracking system, the first of its kind in the nation, to streamline the process of collecting, storing, and testing evidence in such cases. The system, known as the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking System (MSAETS), will allow law enforcement agencies, medical providers, and forensic laboratories to track the location and status of evidence in real-time. This will help reduce delays in testing and reporting, ensuring that victims have timely access to justice. “This is a significant step forward in our efforts to support victims of sexual assault and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “By streamlining the evidence tracking process, we can provide survivors with peace of mind knowing that their case is being handled with the utmost care and efficiency.” MSAETS is a cloud-based system that provides a secure and centralized repository for evidence information. It includes a dashboard that allows users to view the status of evidence in all cases, as well as a notification system that alerts stakeholders when evidence has been moved or tested. The system is integrated with the Maryland State Police’s Crime Laboratory System, which will allow technicians to track the movement of evidence within the laboratory and provide updated results to investigators. Additionally, MSAETS interfaces with the Maryland Court Case Management System, allowing prosecutors and judges to access evidence information in real-time. “This system will revolutionize the way we handle sexual assault evidence in Maryland,” said Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh. “By ensuring that evidence is tracked and tested promptly, we can improve outcomes for victims and send a clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated.” MSAETS was developed in collaboration with the Maryland State Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The system was funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. “The launch of MSAETS is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this project,” said Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi. “We are committed to ensuring that victims of sexual assault have access to the justice they deserve, and this system is a major step in that direction.”Online Tracking System Empowers Sexual Assault Survivors in Maryland
Online Tracking System Empowers Sexual Assault Survivors in Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown recently announced the launch of an online tracking system that provides sexual assault survivors with real-time updates on the status of their DNA testing kits. This system, known as Track Kit, empowers survivors to stay informed throughout the criminal justice process. Through a barcode system, survivors can monitor the location of their evidence as it moves from the hospital to the police station, crime lab, and beyond. Each survivor is assigned a unique tracking number and password, allowing them to access the system 24/7. “If survivors feel like the system is not on their side, they will not come forward and justice will not be served,” said Governor Moore. “But if they feel like there is accountability, we have a better chance of getting evidence, closing cases, and serving justice.” The Track Kit system addresses a critical issue faced by many sexual assault survivors: lack of transparency. Too often, victims have been left in the dark about the status of their evidence, leading to frustration and distrust in the justice system. “This kit is a promise of justice,” said Attorney General Brown. “But for too many victims, when the kits left hospital rooms, they were left with nothing but questions.” The Track Kit system also helps law enforcement agencies identify witnesses, ensure DNA evidence is tested promptly, and hold agencies accountable for handling evidence properly. Maryland is the only state that tracks all existing evidence packages, including those collected before the system was created. The state had over 5,000 untested evidence packages in 2022. Survivors who need assistance using the tracking system can contact the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault or their local rape crisis center. The launch of the Track Kit system is a testament to the ongoing efforts by lawmakers and advocates to increase transparency and support for sexual assault survivors in Maryland. It represents a significant step towards ensuring that survivors have access to justice and peace.
Maryland launches sexual assault evidence tracking system By The Baltimore Sun | August 23, 2023 Maryland has launched a statewide system to track sexual assault evidence kits, a move advocates say will help ensure that victims’ evidence is handled properly and that cases are not lost in a backlog. The system, called the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking System (SAETS), went live on Monday. It allows law enforcement agencies to track the status of evidence kits from the time they are collected to the time they are analyzed by a forensic laboratory. The system is designed to help reduce the backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits in Maryland, which is one of the highest in the country. In 2021, there were more than 5,000 untested kits in Maryland, according to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Advocates say the backlog is due to a number of factors, including a lack of funding for forensic laboratories and a shortage of trained forensic analysts. The SAETS is expected to help reduce the backlog by providing law enforcement agencies with real-time information about the status of evidence kits. The system also includes a victim notification component that allows victims to track the status of their evidence kits and receive updates on their cases. “This is a major step forward for victims of sexual assault in Maryland,” said Lisae Jordan, executive director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. “This system will help ensure that victims’ evidence is handled properly and that cases are not lost in a backlog.” The SAETS is funded by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The system is part of a larger effort by the Maryland State Police to improve the way sexual assault cases are handled. In 2021, the Maryland State Police launched a new unit to investigate sexual assault cases. The unit is staffed by specially trained detectives who are dedicated to investigating sexual assault cases and working with victims. The Maryland State Police is also working to improve its training for law enforcement officers on how to handle sexual assault cases. The training includes information on how to collect evidence, how to interview victims, and how to investigate sexual assault cases. The SAETS is a major step forward for victims of sexual assault in Maryland. The system will help ensure that victims’ evidence is handled properly and that cases are not lost in a backlog.
