The Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) received grant funds from the U.S. DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2023. DOJ has used those funds to create a multidisciplinary team to address the backlog of sexual assault kits (SAKs). Inventories of the backlogged SAKs at law enforcement agencies, health care facilities, and the MT Crime Lab have been conducted. There remains some SAKs or individual forensic samples that have not been inventoried. The SAKI team is working to complete SAK inventories, compile case records, and ensure testing of partially tested or unsubmitted SAKs.

Achievements

• Implementation of the first online Montana statewide Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System.
• Inventoried 3,482 SAKs (1,784 unsubmitted and 1,698 partially tested) since the initiation of the program.
• Conducted statewide SAKI led sexual assault response trainings.
• Created over 25 e-learning modules and public service announcements related to sexual assault exams, investigations, and survivor care available to criminal justice responders.

National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative TTA Website

Bureau of Justice Assistance SAKI Website

Violent Criminal Apprehension Program Brochure

Sexual Assault Kit Inventory and Testing: Collect and/or inventory unsubmitted and partially tested SAKs from across the state.  Document case information in a database for tracking and data analysis.  These SAKs are then sent to private labs for testing, which relieves some of the workload on the MT State Crime Lab.

Advanced DNA Testing: SAKI may be allowed to test evidence in unsolved cold cases that have a nexus to sexual assault including pursuing Investigative Genealogy. If you have a case that fits this description, please contact SAKI.

CODIS: If DNA is detected in the samples sent to labs, it is reviewed for CODIS eligibility. The DNA may be uploaded into CODIS with the hope of connecting it to an existing DNA profile.

ViCAP: The SAKI Team works with local jurisdictions to determine which cases are eligible to be uploaded into ViCAP and enter the information if the jurisdiction does not have ViCAP trained personnel.

Survivor notifications: When CODIS hits result from DNA testing, the SAKI Team works with local Sexual Assault Response Teams to determine how and when to notify survivors about new leads in the investigation and/or refer them to local advocates.

Cold case investigations: The SAKI Team assists with cold case investigations by providing guidance or grant funding to assist with evidence testing. The SAKI Cold Case Investigator can take the lead on reopening cases or assist local jurisdictions with their cold cases.