Though experts estimate that there are hundreds of thousands of untested kits in police and crime lab storage facilities throughout the country, there is no comprehensive, national data on the nature and scope of the rape kit backlog. Few state governments and no federal agencies track this data. Across cities and counties, there are vast differences in the way law enforcement officials track and report rape kit data, if at all, making it exceedingly difficult to compare data and to have a national picture of the backlog.
But here's what we do know.
Completed Testing of 13,931 Rape Kits Signals Progress, Unfinished Business and Investigations Remain
Serial Rapists Don't Necessarily Have an MO
Cleveland Rape Kit Case, Chronicled in HBO Film, Highlights Challenges of Prosecuting Old Cases
N.H. Supreme Court affirms rape, murder conviction of Seth Mazzaglia for 2012 strangulation of Westboro teen Elizabeth 'Lizzi' Marriott
My Turn: Survivors of Sexual Assault Deserve Justice
Lawmaker calls for statewide audit of untested rape kits
Attorney General's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Makes Progress with Untested Rape Kits
15 Arrest Warrants Issued as State Wades through Backlogged Rape Kits
Former Metro Officer Suspected in Las Vegas Cold Case Admits Details in Arrest Report
Two Sides Head to Mediation after Woman Sues Eastern Montana Hospital for Not Giving Her A Rape Kit
Montana Received A Grant and New Guidelines to Process Rape Kits More Effectively
As Crime Lab Cases Climb, Montana Aims to Make Sex Assault Evidence Kits More Efficient
Massachusetts Laws Do Not Require Tracking or Testing of Rape Kits; This Advocacy Group Wants to Change That in 2018
Jones' Proposal To Address Backlog Of Untested Rape Kits Approved
Mass. House Approves Proposal to Create Tracking System for Untested Rape Kits and Evaluate Backlog
Orleans rapist's cold-case conviction, life sentence upheld by state Supreme Court
Thousands of rape kits remain untested nationwide; rape survivor pushes to end the backlog
"Why didn't she go to the police?" Rape culture runs deep in law enforcement
Failing to Fund Crime Lab Victimizes Crime Victims
Should Iowa Test DNA Evidence Even When The Victim Doesn't Want It Done?
An Iowa Woman Has Waited 7 Months for Her Rape Kit to Be Tested While Her Accused Taker Remains Free. She's Not Alone
REALITY CHECK: 81-Year-Old Rape Survivor Finally Gets Justice after Rape Kit Is Tested
I Am Evidence': As Mobile, Birmingham Tackle Rape Evidence Backlog, Documentary Highlights Issue
Mobile Police Department Awarded Another $1.9 Million in SAKI Grants to Test Rape Kits
Completed Testing of 13,931 Rape Kits Signals Progress, Unfinished Business and Investigations Remain
Serial Rapists Don't Necessarily Have an MO
Cleveland Rape Kit Case, Chronicled in HBO Film, Highlights Challenges of Prosecuting Old Cases
Portland Police Make First Conviction from Testing Decades-Old Sex Assault Evidence Kits
Police Had Suspect Name, Sexual Assault Kit but It Took More Than 10 Years to Test Evidence
Lawmakers to Tackle Packed 2018 Agenda in Short Legislative Session
Portland Police Make First Conviction from Testing Decades-Old Sex Assault Evidence Kits
Police Had Suspect Name, Sexual Assault Kit but It Took More Than 10 Years to Test Evidence
Lawmakers to Tackle Packed 2018 Agenda in Short Legislative Session
Two Sides Head to Mediation after Woman Sues Eastern Montana Hospital for Not Giving Her A Rape Kit
Montana Received A Grant and New Guidelines to Process Rape Kits More Effectively
As Crime Lab Cases Climb, Montana Aims to Make Sex Assault Evidence Kits More Efficient
Attorney General's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Makes Progress with Untested Rape Kits
15 Arrest Warrants Issued as State Wades through Backlogged Rape Kits
Former Metro Officer Suspected in Las Vegas Cold Case Admits Details in Arrest Report
Massachusetts Laws Do Not Require Tracking or Testing of Rape Kits; This Advocacy Group Wants to Change That in 2018
Jones' Proposal To Address Backlog Of Untested Rape Kits Approved
Mass. House Approves Proposal to Create Tracking System for Untested Rape Kits and Evaluate Backlog
REALITY CHECK: 81-Year-Old Rape Survivor Finally Gets Justice after Rape Kit Is Tested
I Am Evidence': As Mobile, Birmingham Tackle Rape Evidence Backlog, Documentary Highlights Issue
Mobile Police Department Awarded Another $1.9 Million in SAKI Grants to Test Rape Kits
 No Statewide Reform |
 Statewide Reform Proposed |
 Statewide Audit Completed |
 Limited Statewide Reform Enacted
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 Comprehensive Statewide Reform Enacted |
 Spotlight Cities |
These locations are part of The Accountability Project, our project to bring greater transparency and accountability around rape kit testing practices nationwide.
END THE BACKLOG is an initiative of the Joyful Heart Foundation to shine a light on the backlog of untested rape kits throughout the United States. Our goal is to end this injustice by conducting groundbreaking research identifying the extent of the nation’s backlog and best practices for eliminating it, expanding the national dialogue on rape kit testing through increased public awareness, engaging communities and government agencies and officials, and advocating for comprehensive rape kit reform legislation and policies at the local, state, and federal levels. We urge you to learn more about the backlog, where it exists, and why it matters. We invite you to take action and support efforts to test rape kits. Help us send the message that we must take rape seriously.
Advocate For Change
You can help us end the backlog. Advocate and help us spread the word.
Support Our Efforts
Your financial support allows us to do this work. Please consider making a donation by clicking here.
When tested, DNA is one of the most powerful tools we have to solve and prevent crime. Read more about it here.
As communities have begun to test rape kits, the question has remained of how to re-engage survivors whose cases are often years—sometimes decades—old. Read more about victim notification.
Every state has a codified set of legal rights for crime victims, often called a "victims’ bill of rights." Learn about these rights here.
END THE BACKLOG is a JOYFUL HEART FOUNDATION initiative and a proud supporter of 
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