- Lovell, Rachel (x)
- Luminais, Misty (x)
- Overman, Laura (x)
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Show moreThis brief explores the efficacy of having a shared space for a multidisciplinary team that is responsible for tackling the issue of unsubmitted SAKs in their community. Our research finds that being in close proximity for extended periods of time has many positive outcomes including engendering a cultural shift that can break through disciplinary silos leading to more positive experiences for victims and successful prosecutions. The findings and recommendations detailed in this brief can be applicable to jurisdictions that are currently tackling or beginning to address their jurisdiction’s unsubmitted SAKs, regardless of whether those efforts are currently being funded under BJA SAKI grants.
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Show moreThis brief explains how the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and the research team collaborated to identify individuals who owe DNA, swab eligible offenders who owe, and followed up after their DNA is entered into CODIS. This reporting addresses the issues that arise when lawfully owed DNA is not collected from offenders, explains the process by which we conducted a census of individuals who lawfully owe their DNA, articulates the outcomes of conducting the census (e.g., statistics on the number of individuals who owe their DNA in Cuyahoga County), and recommends approaches that other jurisdictions (within and beyond Ohio) could take to address issues in collecting lawfully owed DNA.
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Show morePrevious research has addressed the logistical and structural factors that contributed to the backlog. This research brief approaches this issue from a different perspective—focusing instead on the Cuyahoga County Sexual Assault Kit Task Force (Task Force) members’ perceptions of the reasons for the backlog. We detail in the brief perceptions of what created the backlog, which provides an important glimpse into what was not working about the process according to Task Force members. Through their analyses and critiques, we can observe the shifts in culture and practice that have occurred, due in part to the passage of time and larger societal changes, but mainly derive from Task Force member’s participation in this specialized Task Force created to address the backlog.
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