Rhode Island Forensic Biology Lab

The Rhode Island Department of Health Forensic Biology Lab (FBL) is one of the agencies where we are using public records requests to uncover the number of untested rape kits in police storage as part of The Accountability Project.

Through our efforts, we have learned that the FBL tested 99% of all rape kits received between 2005 and 2015 by February 2016. In Rhode Island, hospitals send non-reported or unreported kits directly to the FBL for storage. Those kits are not tested unless a survivor chooses to report their assault. The FBL reported receiving 1,507 unreported kits for storage between 2005 and 2015. To learn more about our process, click here.

VIEW THE PUBLIC RECORDS RESPONSE

Right now, we do not know the full extent of the national rape kit backlog because few states require law enforcement agencies to count, track, or test rape kits. The Accountability Project aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to rape kit testing practices across the country.