By: Karla Hernández & Gerald Ericksen et al.*
Introduction
The significance of the legal rights of crime victims has long been apparent. When victims are informed and empowered to participate in the prosecution of crimes committed against them, their access to justice is increased, and prosecutorial outcomes improve. However, victims’ rights can seemingly be cast aside in the legal system’s often single-minded focus on favoring the accused — a focus that is echoed in both the criminal justice system of the United States and that of its unincorporated territory of Puerto Rico. It seems that victims’ rights are often relegated to a lower priority ranking in the laws and codes that pertain to criminal prosecution, including those related to the crime of sexual assault. In this context, an additional challenge for victims is the pervasive problem with timely and appropriate utilization of DNA evidence in criminal prosecutions. Such evidence constitutes a crucial step in seeking justice for victims; when it is unavailable, survivors are left without any solution or closure, and offenders can continue harming others.
Vivo Alliance is a nonprofit organization founded in 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The organization was established in response to crucial deficiencies exhibited by the Puerto Rican criminal justice system, particularly in its management of violent sexual assault cases. This initiative was inspired by the personal experience of its founder, Karla Hernández, who was a victim of such an assault in 2020. Having firsthand awareness of these systemic problems, Vivo Alliance has undertaken the task of identifying weaknesses in the Puerto Rican legal framework of sexual assault crimes, intending to foster legislative reforms that will strengthen the rights of victims and ensure that more perpetrators are brought to justice.
The goals of Vivo Alliance’s first initiative, the “Advocacy & Accountability Project,” are twofold. First, it seeks to understand the actual sexual assault rates in Puerto Rico over the past 6 years and to examine how these statistics are compiled. Second, it is meant to research and analyze sexual assault laws and policies in Puerto Rico, the United States, and internationally to identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing legal frameworks. This analysis will inform the drafting of legislative reforms designed to improve victims’ rights as well as prosecutorial tools. A central focus of this analysis is the management and utilization of DNA evidence collected in sexual assault cases, commonly referred to as rape kits, particularly addressing the critical issue of the backlog in timely processing of such evidence throughout the criminal prosecution process.
This paper is the first of two reports from the Advocacy & Accountability Project (herein, “the Project”). These reports are the fruit of a thorough investigation by Vivo Alliance’s team in collaboration with students from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. The focus of the current report is the aforementioned subset of the Project’s second goal: an analysis of key problems with rape kit management in Puerto Rico and recommended solutions based upon a comparative analysis of the best legal practices throughout the United States.
I. Background
A. Issues in Rape Kit Management
An important development in the prosecution of sexual assault crimes has been the use of DNA evidence.[1] With the introduction of DNA samples as unique biological “fingerprints” left by offenders at a crime scene, this method of evidence collection in sexual assault crimes has come into common use. Under ideal circumstances, after reporting a sexual assault, the victim would promptly go to a hospital or clinic. There, trained medical professionals would collect biological evidence samples from the victim, with the expectation of obtaining DNA from the assailant which will be used to identify him/her. This examination can last between four and six hours and involves photographing and swabbing the victim’s body for biological evidence. Survivors have the option to have a kit collected anonymously, without reporting the assault to law enforcement; however, if the assault is reported, the kit should be picked up by law enforcement and sent to a crime lab for analysis. At the crime lab, DNA analysis can produce a profile that is uploaded to local, state, and national DNA databases. This process can help identify unknown assailants, connect crimes, and exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted. This packet of collected evidentiary samples is referred to by various names, including sexual assault forensic evidence kit, sexual assault kit, or SAK, with “rape kit” being the most used term. Once collected, if a survivor chooses to report the rape, the kit must be submitted to law enforcement for evidence and be scientifically processed to then use in a criminal case.[2]
Unfortunately for sexual assault victims, an additional challenge, on top of the harm and trauma of the crime itself, has been the failure of many criminal justice systems in the United States to process or “test” collected rape kits in a timely manner. Many of these kits are never tested and are left untouched in storage for years. When this crucial DNA evidence is not available, too often perpetrators walk free. This problem has become known as the rape kit backlog. Due to the lack of tracking systems in many jurisdictions, the number of untested kits in police and crime lab storage facilities across the country is uncertain. However, experts estimate there are hundreds of thousands of untested kits.[3] The existence of these backlogs has called for remedial actions by law enforcement to identify the status of collected rape kits and mandate time requirements for their processing.
B. Joyful Heart Foundation and “End the Backlog”
The Joyful Heart Foundation (herein, “the Foundation”), a leading national organization in the field of gender-based violence, advocates for a significant cultural shift within criminal justice institutions towards survivor-centric, trauma-informed practices that prioritize the needs of survivors throughout the judicial process, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and respect for survivors.[4] The Foundation is actively working to address deficiencies and shortcomings in the laws and policies surrounding sexual assault cases in various states across the United States.[5] They created the End the Backlog project with the objectives of promoting the testing and use of new and backlogged rape kits for biological evidence in sexual assault crimes and eliminating the existing backlog of untested rape kits nationwide. The Foundation defines a backlogged kit as one that has not been submitted for testing within 30 days of being booked into evidence.[6] They have uncovered over 225,000 untested kits through investigative reporters and an initiative that utilizes public record requests to reveal the number of untested kits per municipality nationwide.[7]
Through End the Backlog, the Foundation has identified six key provisions, or pillars, that are crucial for comprehensive rape kit reform.[8] These pillars align with federal best practices and have been reviewed and approved by a diverse group of experts. The six pillars of Comprehensive Rape Kit Reform are the following:
- Annual statewide inventory of untested kits: Conducting regular counts of untested rape kits to understand the extent of the issue and monitor progress.
- Mandatory testing of backlogged kits: Requiring law enforcement agencies to submit all previously untested kits for testing to eliminate the backlog.
- Mandatory testing of new kits: Ensuring prompt submission and testing of newly collected kits to prevent future backlogs.
- Statewide tracking system: Implementing a unified system for tracking rape kits across hospitals, law enforcement, and labs, allowing survivors to monitor the status of their kits throughout the process.
- Victims’ rights to notice: Granting victims the right to receive information about the status and location of their rape kits and ensuring they are informed if their kit will not be tested.
- Funding for reform: Allocating state funding to address these issues and support the implementation of the pillars.
By advocating for these provisions and working towards their implementation, the Foundation is striving to bring meaningful legislative reform and improve the handling of sexual assault cases in various states across the United States. Through its Advocacy and Accountability Project, Vivo Alliance seeks to translate the ideals embodied in these pillars into tangible reforms in Puerto Rico.
C. Status of Rape Kit Management in Puerto Rico
In July 2020, a $2 million grant was awarded to the Department of Public Safety of Puerto Rico, which the Puerto Rico Bureau of Forensic Sciences (BFS) was supposed to use to fund the testing of 1,500 backlogged rape kits, dating back as early as 2003.[9] As of this writing, we have not been able to determine, through publicly available records, if this effort has had any success and if the number of rape kits currently backlogged within the Puerto Rico criminal justice system has decreased at all.
A portal for tracking rape kits for sexual assault victims in Puerto Rico was recently established through an executive order. This portal was donated in 2021 by a forensic laboratory in Idaho to the Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences.[10] Through this portal, individuals should be able to verify the status of their rape kits and find out whether they have been processed. A State of Emergency declaration prompted the implementation of this technology due to gender-based violence, during which Governor Pedro Pierluisi allocated $800,000 for its development.[11] Because this is a recently implemented system, its true effectiveness remains unknown. Until the status of rape kit management in Puerto Rico can be verified through public records—specifically, to determine whether testing of collected kits is up to date or if a significant backlog still exists—it will be difficult to truly determine whether these funds have been effectively expended.
II. Analysis
A. Legal Deficiencies in Rape Kit Management in Puerto Rico
In this section of the report, we will analyze deficiencies and shortcomings in the laws of Puerto Rico related to the timely processing of rape kits, the annual inventory of untested rape kits (backlog), and the mandated timeframe for testing the backlog of untested rape kits.
It appears that Puerto Rico has made minor progress towards addressing the rape kit backlog and implementing rape kit reform. According to the Foundation, Puerto Rico has achieved two of the six pillars deemed necessary for rape kit reform, as outlined on their website.[12] The first pillar—implementing a tracking system—was achieved in 2021 as Puerto Rico implemented a rape kit tracking system through a non-legislative reform.[13] According to Director María Conte Miller, this website, created and managed by the Institute of Forensic Sciences (ICF), allows victims of sexual assault who have undergone a rape kit examination to verify the status of their kits.[14] More recently, in 2022, lawmakers in Puerto Rico introduced a bill that would have created a tracking system for rape kits through a legal mandate. Known as the Ley del Portal Electrónico de Rastreo del Equipo de Recolección de Evidencia Forense de Violencia Sexual, this legislation aimed to provide victims with information about the status of their kits. [15] The bill would have outlined public policy, established the responsibilities of various institutions, departments, and agencies, and mandated by law the creation of a tracking system to give victims access to information regarding the status of their rape kits.[16] However, as of this writing, the 2024 legislative assemblies did not pass the bill.
The second pillar—testing backlogged kits—was meant to be achieved through the aforementioned $2 million grant awarded in 2020 to the Puerto Rico Bureau of Forensic Sciences (BFS) to fund the testing of 1,500 backlogged rape kits, dating back as early as 2003.[17] However, as of this writing, there is no publicly available record of the status of this effort nor of the number of rape kits currently backlogged within the Puerto Rico criminal justice system.
Notwithstanding this appearance of progress, Puerto Rico exhibits several critical shortcomings in meeting the standards established by the Foundation for comprehensive rape kit reform. Notably, the territory has not conducted a statewide inventory of untested kits, nor has it mandated the timely testing of both new and backlogged kits. While the Puerto Rican government has committed to testing backlogged kits —according to Joyful Heart’s website— and has implemented a tracking system, there appears to be no public evidence of whether the testing of backlogged rape kits has occurred.[18] In addition, the rape kit tracking system has not yet been mandated by law. (It should be noted that research by the Joyful Heart Foundation indicates that in states where a time limit for testing kits has been implemented, the number of backlogged kits has reduced drastically.[19]) Each of these remaining shortcomings are discussed in detail below.
i. Legal time limit for the processing/testing of all new rape kits
The DNA collected from rape kits holds significant potential for solving and preventing crimes in Puerto Rico.[20] However, upon arrival at crime labs for testing, these kits can languish for months, years, or even indefinitely due to the absence of a legally mandated time limit for processing. This backlog occurs because the crime lab and police department are not compelled by legislation to prioritize the testing of rape kits, resulting in sexual assault investigations that fail to utilize this crucial forensic evidence.[21] The timely processing of rape kits is critical not only for preventing wrongful convictions, but also for swiftly identifying perpetrators and potentially linking cases involving serial offenders. While the Puerto Rico Bureau of Forensic Sciences (BFS) has committed to address this problem and has implemented a non-legislated tracking system, it has yet to establish a legal requirement for the prompt processing and testing of all new rape kits.[22] Implementing a legal time limit would enhance the investigative process by aiding in the identification, prosecution, conviction, and exoneration of individuals involved in sexual assault cases.
ii. Legal mandate for an annual inventory of all rape kits
In Puerto Rico, neither law enforcement agencies nor laboratories are required to participate in the quantification of an inventory of all submitted rape kits. The law also does not demand documentation relating to the date the kit was collected, the total of untested kits, nor a reason as to why the kit has not been submitted to a crime laboratory for testing. [23] In contrast, “28 states and Washington, D.C. have laws requiring one-time, annual, or periodic inventory of untested rape kits [to date].”[24] “By conducting an annual inventory […] of untested rape kits, states can strengthen accountability, monitor progress toward eliminating the backlog, and send a message to survivors that they matter.”[25] In contrast, by not having a legal mandate for an annual inventory of all kits, victims in Puerto Rico are rendered vulnerable and without remedies throughout the legal process.
iii.Legal mandate and timeframe for the testing of all backlogged rape kits.
The status of the backlogged rape kits in Puerto Rico remains unknown to the public. Unlike nine states in the U.S.—including Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas—that have laws mandating the submission and testing of backlogged kits,[26] Puerto Rico currently lacks a legal mandate and timeframe for testing all its backlogged rape kits. The stated commitment to testing backlogged kits in Puerto Rico is a work in progress undertaken through non-legislative means.[27] This situation affects sexual assault survivors whose kits often remain unprocessed for years, sometimes even decades.[28] Even if the statute of limitations has expired, testing these kits could still identify offenders, allowing survivors to seek justice through civil lawsuits or provide crucial impact statements during sentencing or parole hearings.[29] The absence of a binding obligation to eliminate the backlog undermines victim’s rights, delays justice, and allows perpetrators to remain unidentified. As a result, victims are denied closure and are left to feel they may still be at risk. It is crucial to address this gap, ensuring that the necessary evidence from all rape kits is processed by the criminal laboratories to support effective law enforcement and deliver justice for survivors promptly.
B. Comparative Analysis of Best Practices in Rape Kit Legislation Throughout the United States
The following section examines some of the best practices throughout the United States regarding laws governing the management of rape kit evidence, with special focus paid to the timely processing of newly collected rape kits, an annual inventory of untested rape kits (backlog), and a required timeframe for processing the backlog of untested rape kits. Highlighting these effective laws and policies facilitates the identification of successful models that promote opportune and more effective responses to sexual violence that can be applied to address deficiencies in Puerto Rico.
i. Legal time limit for the processing/testing of all new rape kits
Similarities and differences can be seen when comparing the laws that regulate the procedure of managing rape kits in states like Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Texas. Oregon and Pennsylvania have strict time limits for law enforcement agencies to obtain rape kits from medical facilities, highlighting the importance of promptly securing crucial evidence to support investigation and, consequently, the legal proceedings that seek to deliver justice for the victims. Oregon requires law enforcement agencies to obtain the kits within seven days of receiving notification, [30] while Pennsylvania demands its agencies to take possession of the evidence within seventy-two hours of receiving notice. [31]
Regarding evidence testing, Oregon law enforcement agencies must submit the kit to the Department of State Police within fourteen days, [32] whereas, Pennsylvania mandates the submission of the evidence within fifteen days of receiving written consent. [33]
Oregon prohibits the submission of anonymous rape kits for testing, ensuring that all evidence is linked to specific reported cases.[34] Pennsylvania does not have a similar provision regarding anonymous kits. Additionally, Oregon requires a minimum retention period of 60 years for all kits, including anonymous ones,[35] while Pennsylvania does not specify a retention period. Similarly, Washington, D.C., preserves the kits for 65 years with no charge from the date the crime is reported.[36] If there is any intention to destroy the kit, the victim must be notified 60 days before its destruction.[37]
On the other hand, Texas has detailed state laws governing the handling and analysis of evidence in cases of sexual assault and other sex offenses. The state emphasizes timely submission of evidence to publicly accredited crime laboratories within 30 days and completion of analysis within 90 days.[38] Texas also prioritizes the comparison of DNA profiles obtained from biological evidence with state and federal databases within 30 days of analysis completion.[39]
Nevada has proven itself to be diligent in its handling of rape kits, meeting all six pillars of rape kit reform.[40] Among its standout practices are the following: the notification of law enforcement by a medical provider within 72 hours of carrying out a forensic medical examination, the assignment of a criminal complaint number to the evidence within five days of receiving notice of the kit, the submission of the kit to a laboratory no later than 30 days after receiving notice of it, and the laboratory’s testing of the kit no later than 120 days following its receipt.[41] Moreover, if a law enforcement agency determines it does not have jurisdiction over an alleged sexual assault, the law enforcement agency shall notify the law enforcement agency having proper jurisdiction of such an assault within 5 days after taking possession of the rape kit.[42] Having received the notice, the law enforcement agency that does have the proper jurisdiction shall proceed to take possession of the rape kit.[43]
Overall, while all four states prioritize the prompt handling and testing of rape kits, Oregon, Texas, and Nevada have more detailed and specific laws outlining procedures and timelines for evidence submission, testing, and comparison of DNA profiles. Pennsylvania, while still emphasizing timely evidence processing, has fewer specific requirements than Oregon, Texas, and Nevada.
ii. Legal mandate for an annual inventory of all rape kits
The legal codes of Georgia, Hawaii, and North Dakota highlight local efforts to address the issue of untested rape kits. In Georgia, the Division of Forensic Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation must issue an annual report detailing the number of cases for which evidence has been tested and the number of cases awaiting testing.[44] The Division of Forensic Sciences then provides the report to several government officials and committees and publishes it on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s website. This reporting requirement aims to provide transparency and accountability in handling forensic evidence in criminal cases. Hawaii has also taken steps to address the backlog of untested rape kits by requiring law enforcement agencies to conduct an inventory and compile reports on the number of untested kits in their possession.[45] Additionally, Hawaii’s Department of the Attorney General is responsible for preparing a comprehensive report on the status of untested kits, outlining processes for testing, priority criteria, victim notification, and expected outcomes. North Dakota is another state that has implemented a statewide rape kit tracking system, as the state crime laboratory must post an annual report on the Attorney General’s website.[46] The mandatory report includes data on the total number of kits in the system, including those that have undergone or are pending forensic analysis, and those that have been destroyed or removed from the system.
iii. Legal mandate and timeframe for the testing of all backlogged rape kits
In Pennsylvania, its local police must compile and submit an annual report to the department, which includes data on the volume of rape kits for which laboratories complete testing and those still awaiting testing.[47] In North Carolina, the Director of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety must report to the committee on various details related to tracking-enabled kits used for forensic medical examinations of sexual assault victims.[48] This includes the number of kits shipped, used by medical facilities to conduct examinations, reported to law enforcement, submitted for testing, and completed testing. The report also includes information on tracking and testing efforts for previously untested kits.
These legislative measures demonstrate a public commitment to addressing sex crimes by tackling the issue of untested rape kits and promoting accountability, transparency, and victim-centered approaches to handling forensic evidence in relevant cases. The annual reports they require from local agencies are crucial in assessing the effectiveness of policies and procedures in place to support victims of sexual assault and ensure that authorities investigate their cases thoroughly and promptly. By implementing reporting requirements, inventory assessments, and tracking systems, these states are taking significant steps toward ensuring that victims receive the justice and support they deserve.
III. Four Legislative Recommendations
A. Rape Kit Tracking System
As mentioned previously, a tracking system for rape kits was donated in 2021, and was implemented by executive order. However, its use has not formally been codified into law. We recommend that this be done in order to ensure its permanence and effectiveness. The establishment of a comprehensive tracking system is vital for monitoring the journey of each rape kit from the moment it is collected in a hospital, through the local law enforcement agency, during the analysis process at the laboratory, and ultimately to its final disposition. The element of transparency is essential not only for improving accountability among those handling the kits but also for fostering trust in the system among survivors. Also, a public tracking portal would empower survivors by providing them with the knowledge and support they need during an incredibly difficult time. Ensuring that these measures are codified into law would solidify a commitment to protecting survivors’ rights and enhance the overall integrity of the criminal justice process in Puerto Rico.
B. Legal time limit for the testing of all new rape kits
We recommend implementing mandatory time requirements for the submission and testing of recently collected rape kits. Medical facilities and all other establishments conducting forensic medical examinations must also immediately notify the Puerto Rico Police Department of the existence of the rape kit following sample collection. The Puerto Rico Police Department must take possession of the rape kit within 24 hours from the notification at medical facilities and transport it promptly to the Institute. Exceptions to this requirement would include rape kits associated with unreported sexual assault cases, which the Institute must preserve for a period of 20 years or until the statute of limitations expires. Victims who do not report sexual assault to the Police Department after sample collection would retain the right to file a complaint within the statute of limitations and submit the rape kit for examination afterward. The Institute must analyze the kits within a maximum of 60 days from receipt by the Puerto Rico Police Department, testing for autosomal DNA profiles and entering eligible profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and local DNA databases. If the Institute cannot meet the designated time limit for analysis, it must subcontract a duly accredited laboratory to perform the required testing.
C. A legal mandate for an annual inventory of all rape kits
We recommend a law mandating that within 180 days of its enactment, and annually within the first 30 days of the new fiscal year, agencies, medical facilities, laboratories, and other relevant centers that handle rape kits provide a detailed report to the Legislative Assembly. This report should include information such as the total number of rape kits with forensic samples taken or received, specific details for each kit, including dates of collection and categorization based on whether the victim reported sexual assault to the Puerto Rico Police Department, as well as the status of each kit at the respective facilities. Furthermore, entities should disclose the total number of rape kits held for over 30 days and provide explanations for their retention, along with details on any rape kits they destroy or dispose of, including the rationale behind such actions. The Office of the Women’s Advocate, in collaboration with the Department of Family Affairs, should compile this data into a comprehensive summary report, which should also highlight any entities that fail to comply with reporting requirements. The agencies should make the proposed annual summary report publicly available on their digital platform and present it to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly for review and action.
D. Legal time limit established for the testing of all backlogged rape kits
The conducting of the mandated inventory of rape kits recommended above would establish whether a rape kit backlog exists in Puerto Rico, and its magnitude. However, prior to this inventory, public records requests may be able to verify the backlog. Once it is verified, we recommend that a law be drafted and passed that requires the testing of all backlogged rape kits within 180 days of its enactment. This measure is crucial because sexual assault survivors whose kits have endured delay for a long time deserve the right to have this vital evidence utilized in the investigation of their cases. By ensuring that all backlogged rape kits are tested, we affirm our commitment to justice and healing for survivors, fostering an environment where their rights and experiences are prioritized and respected. By committing to such diligence, we can rebuild trust in the system and affirm our dedication to delivering justice for survivors.
Conclusion
Vivo Alliance’s analysis of rape kit laws in Puerto Rico identifies significant deficiencies in the legal and policy frameworks intended to protect and support sexual assault victims and bring perpetrators to justice. These legal shortcomings negatively impact the timely processing of victims’ rape kits, which hinders the effective prosecution of perpetrators. Addressing these deficiencies requires clear and prompt mandates with built-in consequences. Our review of existing laws in other states’ jurisdictions provides important context and proves that effective criminal justice systems and legal frameworks may thrive through constructive policymaking. Based on this analysis, we propose codifying the rape kit tracking system, establishing testing time limits, mandating annual inventories, and addressing backlogs as crucial first steps toward systemic change. We will complement this report with a forthcoming second report focused on addressing victims’ rights in criminal prosecution. Together, these reports will provide a comprehensive overview of recommended reforms aimed at creating a systemic response to sex crimes in Puerto Rico. Recommendations from both reports have been incorporated into a comprehensive legislative proposal, set to be introduced in January 2025. Our goal is to work beyond legislative action and help bring about a cultural shift in Puerto Rico’s response to sex crimes by enhancing transparency, improving accountability, and demonstrating commitment to victims’ rights and public safety. We call on all stakeholders, from policymakers to the general public, to support these vital reforms.
* Karla Hernández & Gerald Ericksen (co-founders of Vivo Alliance), in collaboration with Orlandy Cabrera Valentin, Esq., and students from the University of Puerto Rico Law School: Gíodalys Dávila Martínez, Ianthe J. García Rivera, Gabriela A. López Rosa, Cristal Ortiz Ramírez, Ivanna S. Rubio Morales, and Deborah R. Trinidad Rivera; as parte of the Advocacy & Accountability Project.
[1] Eliott C. McLaughlin, How a Backlog of Rape Kits Led to a Perplexing Case for Police, CNN (Nov. 20, 2015, 10:41 AM), https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/20/health/rape-kit-history/index.html (last visited Nov. 1, 2024).
[2] What Is a Rape Kit and a Rape Kit Exam?, END THE BACKLOG, https://www.endthebacklog.org/what-is-the-backlog/what-is-a-rape-kit-and-rape-kit-exam/ (last visited Oct. 30, 2024).
[3] END THE BACKLOG, COMPREHENSIVE RAPE KIT REFORM: A LEGISLATIVE HANDBOOK 3 (2020), https://www.endthebacklog.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ETB_Legislative-Handbook_January-2020.pdf.
[4] About End the Backlog, END THE BACKLOG, https://www.endthebacklog.org/about-end-the-backlog/ (last visited Nov. 14, 2024).
[5] JOYFUL HEART FOUNDATION, https://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org (last visited Oct. 30, 2024).
[6] END THE BACKLOG, What is the Backlog? (July 11, 2024, 7:50 PM), https://www.endthebacklog.org/what-is-the-backlog/ (last visited Nov. 1, 2024).
[7] END THE BACKLOG, supra note 4.
[8] The Six Pillars, END THE BACKLOG (July 11, 2024, 7:55 PM), https://www.endthebacklog.org/the-six-pillars/ (last visited Nov. 1, 2024).
[9] New Aid for Assault Survivors, MANHATTAN TIMES https://www.manhattantimesnews.com/new-aid-for-assault-survivorsnueva-ayuda-para-sobrevivientes-de-ataques/ (last visited Oct. 30, 2024).
[10] El CAVV realiza el lanzamiento del Renovado Portal del Portal de Rastreo de Equipo de Evidencia Forense, CAVV (July 11, 2024, 8:00 PM), https://cavvsaludpr.weebly.com/noticias-cavv/el-cavv-realiza-el-lanzamiento-del-renovado-portal-del-portal-de-rastreo-de-equipo-de-evidencia-forense (last visited Nov. 1, 2024).
[11] Laura M. Quintero, Sobrevivientes de violencia sexual tienen un portal renovado para rastrear el estatus de su rape kit, TODAS (Jul. 6, 2024, 3:30 PM), https://www.todaspr.com/sobrevivientes-de-violencia-sexual-tienen-un-portal-renovado-para-rastrear-el-estatus-de-su-safe-kit/ (last visited Nov. 1, 2024).
[12] Puerto Rico, END THE BACKLOG (July 11, 2024, 8:00 PM), https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/puerto-rico/.
[13] El CAVV realiza el lanzamiento del Renovado Portal del Portal de Rastreo de Equipo de Evidencia Forense, supra note 11.
[14] Gloria Ruiz Kuilan, Ciencias Forenses lanza página web para que víctimas de agresión sexual rastreen el estatus de sus casos, EL NUEVO DÍA (Jan. 12, 2021, 11:40 PM), https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/seguridad/notas/ciencias-forenses-lanza-pagina-web-para-que-victimas-de-agresion-sexual-rastreen-el-estatus-de-sus-casos/.
[15] P. de la C. 1462 de 1 de septiembre de 2022, 4ta Ses. Ord., 19na Asam. Leg., at 1.
[16] Id. at 2.
[17] New Aid for Assault Survivors, MANHATTAN TIMES https://www.manhattantimesnews.com/new-aid-for-assault-survivorsnueva-ayuda-para-sobrevivientes-de-ataques/ (last visited Oct. 30, 2024).
[18] Puerto Rico, supra note 12.
[19] End the Backlog, https://www.endthebacklog.org/#explore_backlog_map (last visited Oct. 3, 2024).
[20] Puerto Rico, supra note 12.
[21] Ruiz Kuilan, supra note 14.
[22] Puerto Rico, supra note 12.
[23] Id.
[24] END THE BACKLOG, supra note 3, at 9.
[25] Pillar: Statewide Inventory, END THE BACKLOG, https://www.endthebacklog.org/the-six-pillars/pillar-statewide-inventory/ (last visited Oct. 26, 2004).
[26] Ruiz Kuilan, supra note 14.
[27] Puerto Rico, supra note 12.
[28] END THE BACKLOG, supra note 3, at 11.
[29] Id.
[30] OR. REV. STAT. § 181A.325 (West 2024).
[31] 35 PA. STAT. AND CONS. STAT. § 10172.3 (West 2024).
[32] OR. REV. STAT. § 181A.325 (West 2024).
[33] 35 PA. STAT. AND CONS. STAT. § 10172.3 (West 2024).
[34] OR. REV. STAT. § 181A.325 (West 2024).
[35] Id.
[36] D.C. CODE § 23-1910 (2024).
[37] Id.
[38] TEX. LOC. GOV’T § 420.042 (2021).
[39] Id.
[40] Nevada, END THE BACKLOG (July 11, 2024, 7:58 PM), https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/nevada/.
[41] NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.3786 (WEST 2000).
[42] Id.
[43] Id.
[44] GA. CODE ANN. § 35-1-2 (West 2017).
[45] HAW. REV. STAT. ANN.§ 844D-24 (West 2016).
[46] LEGIS. ASSEMB. 2281, 67th Leg., Reg. Sess. (N.D. 2021).
[47] 35 PA. STAT. AND CONS. STAT. § 10172.6 (2019).
[48] N.C. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 114-65 (West 2018).
