Sexual Assault Kit Initiative

Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Program

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Program is administered by the U.S Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. This program is designed to address the growing number of unprocessed sexual assault kits (SAKs) in law enforcement custody and to help provide resolution for victims, when possible. Grant funding may be used to inventory the existing numbers of unprocessed SAKs, test these kits, and assign designated personnel to pursue new investigative leads and prosecutions and to support victims throughout the investigation and prosecution process. By promoting training, evidence tracking, and best practices, SAKI is helping jurisdictions establish effective and sustainable practices for collecting and processing forensic evidence, investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases, and supporting survivors of sexual assault.

The Department of Public Safety’s Forensic Laboratory has partnered with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; the New Mexico District Attorney’s Association, the Albuquerque Police Department Crime Laboratory, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Mexico Statewide Coalition of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to form a working group focused on developing a comprehensive strategy to address the backlog of unprocessed sexual assault kits that will include improving testing, tracking, training, and investigating to support sexual assault crime investigators, prosecutors, victims, and service providers.

For grant eligibility, please contact DPS.GMS@state.nm.us