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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
99 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the Department of the Attorney General to create an efficient tracking method for Deoxyribonucleic acid (dna) rape kits and to reduce the time to Process the results.
WHEREAS, the increasing backlog in processing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) rape kits is a growing problem in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, police departments in Hawaii processed less than half of the one-hundred thirty-nine rape kits containing DNA evidence submitted by the Honolulu Sexual Abuse Treatment Center; and
WHEREAS, processing a single DNA sample can cost between $100 and $1,000, and expenses for a rape kit containing numerous samples may range between $1,000 and $8,500; and
WHEREAS, the Honolulu Police Department Crime Laboratory, is the only forensic laboratory for criminal DNA analysis in the State, and it has a backlog of unprocessed DNA rape kits that may be attributed to personnel and funding shortages; and
WHEREAS, the Attorney General administers the Statewide Sexual Assault Services program, which provides a coordinated and comprehensive response to victims of sexual assault; and
WHEREAS, the Attorney General also manages the Violence Against Women Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors grant, which has been funding the Sexual Abuse Treatment Center's coordinated effort to improve sex assault protocols including the forensic examination of victims; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, the Senate concurring, that the Attorney General is requested to work with the county police departments to coordinate with other states and federal law enforcement agencies to create an efficient tracking method for DNA rape kits and to reduce the time to processing the results; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to assist in identifying additional funding sources for the Honolulu Police Department Crime Laboratory; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to work with social services, law enforcement, and the prosecuting attorneys of each county to review and implement the initiatives contained in this concurrent resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to work with the county police departments, the prosecuting attorney's of each county, and county forensics laboratories in reviewing their inter-agency policies, financing guidelines, and procedures to expedite DNA rape kit processing; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2013 and 2014, including the following
(1) The status of its effort in creating an efficient tracking method for DNA rape kit processing;
(2) Statistics on reduction of the time in processing DNA rape kits;
(3) Potential sources of additional funding for the Honolulu Police Department Crime Laboratory; and
(4) Other recommendations, including any proposed legislation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Chiefs of Police of each county, and the prosecuting attorneys of each county.
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OFFERED BY: |
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DNA; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Backlog; Rape Kit; Sexual Assault