2019 FOIA Request
Why did we send the FOIA?
In 2019, in accordance with state law, the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) reported finding 387 untested rape kits across Massachusetts, with only 87 out of more than 400 law enforcement agencies reporting. To uncover the true extent of the backlog in Massachusetts, in that same year, Joyful Heart issued public records requests to police departments in the largest 15 cities in the state and the State Police Crime Laboratory as part of The Accountability Project.
What did we discover?
Haverhill PD reported collecting 267 sexual assault kits between 1996 and 2019. The PD’s evidence technician compiled data from their searchable records within the last 30 years and was able to go as far back as 1996. The official letter included only one unreported kit collected in 2019 that was not sent to the lab for testing. The letter reports no lost or destroyed kits.
More Accountability Targets in Massachusetts
Boston, MABrockton, MACambridge, MAFall River, MALawrence, MALowell, MALynn, MAMalden, MANew Bedford, MANewton, MAQuincy, MASomerville, MASpringfield, MAState Police Crime Lab, MAWaltham, MAWorcester, MA
Why Accountability?
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.