Marin County Grand Jury
• 2017-2018
Sexual Assault in Marin Evidence Collection, Processing and Backlog Report Date: April 25, 2018
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 17 findings
F1
The average number of reported rapes (per 1,000 population) in Marin County for 2011- 2016 is lower than all other counties in the Bay Area.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The low numbers of these assaults is equated with low numbers of SART exams (less than 29 per year average), which are insufficient to support a local program.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Having an in-county SART exam facility would not reduce the impact to the victims or the county agencies.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
SANE nurse proficiency is maintained and enhanced by sufficient experience and caseload.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Identifying, training and retaining qualified SANE nurses in the North Bay represent challenges to the program.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center is a central location with good access for the counties it serves. It is an efficient operation where approximately 200 examinations per year are performed.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Marin County’s contract with Napa Solano SANE SART expires on July 2, 2018 and a renewal of the contract offers an opportunity to optimize the support to Marin and the SANE SART program.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The County’s contract with the Napa Solano SANE SART should be renewed.
F8
The geography and small number of rapes relative to the size of the counties that Napa Solano SANE SART serves creates challenges to resourcing and funding the program.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The County should investigate alternative financing in collaboration with Napa Solano SANE SART to address funding variations resulting from the number of rapes per capita and large geography serviced, as directed in California Penal Code Section 13898.2 (c).
F9
Funding based on actual examinations performed results in inconsistent revenue for an operation that must pay SANE nurses to be available 24 hours a day all year.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The County should investigate alternative financing in collaboration with Napa Solano SANE SART to address funding variations resulting from the number of rapes per capita and large geography serviced, as directed in California Penal Code Section 13898.2 (c).
F10
The Grand Jury finds no evidence of a testing backlog after the new RADS process was implemented in 2011.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The Grand Jury found unprocessed rape kits for years prior to 2011.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Each law enforcement agency should complete an inventory of rape kits in their evidence lockers, and identify kits that have not been submitted to the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory for DNA analysis.
F12
Some kits obtained prior to 2011 were not analyzed due to perceived non-prosecutory value.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Kits that have not been DNA tested should be sent to the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory for processing, regardless of statute of limitations or prosecutorial value.
F13
The exact number of unprocessed rape kits before 2011 remains unknown due to prior database procedures that did not identify the status of DNA testing of rape kits in evidence logs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Each law enforcement agency should complete an inventory of rape kits in their evidence lockers, and identify kits that have not been submitted to the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory for DNA analysis.
F14
The evidence databases in some agencies are incomplete.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Each law enforcement agency should complete an inventory of rape kits in their evidence lockers, and identify kits that have not been submitted to the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory for DNA analysis.
F15
DNA testing of unprocessed rape kits nationwide, including other Bay Area counties, has led to the discovery of serial rapists and links to other crimes.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
Policies for retention of rape kits vary among agencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Law enforcement agencies should have a clearly defined policy regarding retention of kits.
F17
The process for victims to learn the status of the results of their rape kit analysis is dependent on procedures of each department and varies throughout the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Each law enforcement agency should have a clear, publicly available policy for keeping victims updated on the status of their rape kit processing and results.