PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The rape kit test backlog in many North American jurisdictions had been of concern to this blog both for two reasons - the role the kits play both in identifying and exonerating suspects. The possibility that 100,000 rape kits across the U.S. remain untested is most disturbing. I have been a strong advocate of this reform measure which is in the intest both of rape complainants and suspects. That said, the Crime Report report indicates that "$30 million has been set aside for the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grant Program." I will reserve comment on this aspect of the Bill until I have some clarity as to what specific sexual assault forensic exam programs are contemplated - and whether they could inadvertently taint the sexual assault complainant interview process. One program in particular - The Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview - has come under attack by The U.S. Air Force and deserves very careful scrutiny.
Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog.
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BULLETIN: "President signs bill to attack rape kit test backlog," published by The Crime Report on January 2, 2019.
GIST: "President Donald Trump has signed legislation that provides funding to help states eliminate backlogs in rape kit testing, ABC News reports. The measure will help deal with the more than 100,000 rape kits across the U.S. that remain untested. Advocates say that without federal funding, they might never be tested. The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019, named after a victim of rape in 1989 whose evidence wasn’t tested until 1994, also funds DNA training and education programs, as well as the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grant Program. Since 2004, the Debbie Smith Act has had considerable success. According to advocates, almost 200,000 sexual offenders have been identified, and over 40 percent of all DNA matches since 2005 were because of resources that became available because of grant money. The measure has had a history of being reauthorized with bipartisan support but this time was caught up in a dispute over reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. The White House said that each year, $151 million will be allocated for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, $12.5 million for DNA training and education programs; and $30 million for the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grant Program."
The entire bulletin can be read at:
GIST: "President Donald Trump has signed legislation that provides funding to help states eliminate backlogs in rape kit testing, ABC News reports. The measure will help deal with the more than 100,000 rape kits across the U.S. that remain untested. Advocates say that without federal funding, they might never be tested. The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019, named after a victim of rape in 1989 whose evidence wasn’t tested until 1994, also funds DNA training and education programs, as well as the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grant Program. Since 2004, the Debbie Smith Act has had considerable success. According to advocates, almost 200,000 sexual offenders have been identified, and over 40 percent of all DNA matches since 2005 were because of resources that became available because of grant money. The measure has had a history of being reauthorized with bipartisan support but this time was caught up in a dispute over reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. The White House said that each year, $151 million will be allocated for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, $12.5 million for DNA training and education programs; and $30 million for the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grant Program."
The entire bulletin can be read at:
https://thecrimereport.org/2020/01/02/trump-signs-bill-to-attack-rape-kit-test-backlog/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
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FINAL WORD: (Applicable to all of our wrongful convictions): "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices.""
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191210/da-drops-murder-charge-against-taunton-man-who-served-35-years-for-1979-slaying
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