There is a nationwide backlog of sexual assault kits, both tested and untested, in law enforcement property and evidence rooms. Recent laws require that these kits be tested and stored for years, while incoming evidence in new criminal cases must be accommodated. SafeStore USA is announcing a secure storage solution for sexual assault kits to relieve the ever-increasing pressure of overcrowding.
SAN LEANDRO, Calif., July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — According to The Atlantic, it is estimated that 200,000 sexual assault kits sit untested in police departments and crime lab storage facilities across the country. This is known as the rape kit backlog. Due to the nationwide backlog and the pressure to end it, the demand for secure facilities to relieve the pressure on evidence storage rooms is at an all-time high. SafeStore USA is announcing a secure and affordable solution for law enforcement, providing long and short-term storage for tested and untested sexual assault kits.
It is estimated that every 73 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States (endthebacklog.org). Every day, the sexual assault kits collected in the prosecution of these crimes need to be stored in addition to the hundreds of thousands of already-existing kits. Efforts are being made all across the country to try to introduce legislation to end this backlog and ensure that all kits are tested in a timely fashion. In California, sexual assault kits have to be stored for at least 20 years or until the victim’s 40th birthday (if the victim was under the age of 18 on the date of the alleged offense). In order for justice to be served, a solution must be found to satisfy these recent evidence retention laws.
Trusted by law enforcement for more than 25 years, SafeStore USA provides secure storage and strict chain of custody at high-security facilities. Their team of evidence specialists has deep knowledge of National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance on evidence storage and preservation, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) standards.
Long-time SafeStore USA client, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is a leader in the law enforcement sector. To protect the integrity of their sexual assault kits and satisfy California retention laws, they are choosing long-term storage with SafeStore USA.
SafeStore USA has a perfect record of secure evidence storage for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
- Strict Chain of Custody
- 24/7 Monitored, Restricted-access Facilities
- Customizable Storage Solutions
- Climate-controlled Storage
- Affordable, Budget-friendly Storage
When tested, the DNA evidence contained in sexual assault kits can be an incredibly powerful tool to solve and prevent crimes. Criminal case evidence must be properly handled, accounted for and stored to convict the guilty and free the innocent. SafeStore USA has the expertise to store sexual assault kits and ensure their preservation long-term.
SafeStore USA’s mission is to provide secure-evidence storage for those who are dedicated to serving justice. Providing strict chain of custody and high-security storage facilities, SafeStore USA ensures the integrity of critical evidence and provides peace-of-mind. For more information, contact SafeStore USA directly at (866) 890-7233.
Media Contact
Randy Turtle, SafeStore USA, 866-890-7233, [email protected]
SOURCE SafeStore USA
