Bill aims to unearth rape evidence

As Georgia starts testing a backlog of evidence in rape cases, the state Legislature is looking to prevent the neglect of such evidence again.

"Across the country there has been an epidemic of rape kits remaining on shelves untested," said state Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta, author of House Bill 827.

The backlog also is a problem in Georgia, he said, but no one knows the extent.

His bill would require law enforcement agencies to send rape kits to the GBI for testing within 30 days, as well as send any old kits they are storing.

The GBI started pushing law enforcement to turn in warehoused kits about six months ago, GBI Director Vernon Keenan said at a hearing earlier this month on Holcomb's bill at the Capitol.

So far, the GBI has received about 1,450 untested kits, Keenan said.

He said some law enforcement agencies incorrectly thought that they could only forward kits in cases where a suspect had been identified.

What's commonly called a "rape kit" is a large envelope containing physical evidence collected from a victim, along with paperwork about the exam. Investigators use that evidence to look for clues to the perpetrator's identity or build a case against a suspect.

But those envelopes get forgotten sometimes in law enforcement evidence rooms and in hospitals. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office and the Perry Police Department both say they have no backlog of kits. Efforts to reach the Houston County Sheriff's Office as well as Warner Robins and Centerville police were not successful Wednesday.

Jennifer Bivins, president of the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault, strongly supports the bill.

"We don't care who started what and what happened and all that," she said. "We just want to get it resolved."

The GBI testing requirements would only apply in cases of a victim wanting to involve law enforcement. A rape victim can always go to a hospital for treatment but can decide not to talk to police.

The House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee unanimously approved the bill Wednesday. It now goes to the Rules Committee for a chance at a floor vote.

To contact writer Maggie Lee, e-mail mlee@macon.com.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Bill aims to unearth rape evidence ."