RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Officials say sexual assault victims will be able to track test results in their cases using software being developed by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports officials hope to begin testing it this summer.
Department director Linda Jackson said victims will receive the identification number of the physical evidence recovery kit taken at a hospital, enabling them to track the analysis. Those who make a police report will also need a personal identification number, which might be withheld by police if it jeopardizes an investigation or prosecution.
Under Virginia law, sexual assault victims have a right to information about evidence kits collected from them and submitted for analysis, unless disclosure threatens the case.
The $118,750 project was funded from a federal Sexual Assault Kit Initiative grant.
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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com
