Sex Assault Kits (SAK)

A Sexual Assault Kit or SAK contains items used by a medical expert in collecting evidence from a victim of sexual assault. The SAK includes a checklist, materials, and instructions, along with envelopes and containers to package any specimens collected during the exam.

The TBI is responsible for testing submitted evidence in compliance with the law and best practices. The TBI has three labs across the state, located in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. Forensic Scientists trained in Forensic Biology test any SAK submitted to the TBI and enter eligible DNA profiles into the national CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) database.

Tennessee received a grant from the District Attorney of New York City in 2016 totaling $973,311. These funds covered the cost of a private lab to test 1,265 of the 2,120 untested SAKs inventoried across the state, outside of Memphis. The remaining 855 were determined to be part of regularly submitted evidence and were tested by TBI Forensic Scientists at the three labs across the state.

All SAKs identified by the City of Memphis were tested by two private laboratories.  According to MPD, between 2013 and 2019, 9,658 SAKs were shipped to private laboratories for testing.  The City of Memphis covered the cost of these tests through grants, city funds and charitable donations. The results generated during testing by private labs for potentially CODIS eligible profiles were reviewed by TBI Forensic Scientists in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. This project has placed considerable strain on the TBI Forensic Biology and CODIS Units.

Yes. All of the SAKs have been tested by either the TBI or a private lab. However, review of the tests performed by the private lab continues as well as the entry of data into the CODIS database.

Private labs are able to conduct serology and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. However, private labs are not permitted access to the CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) database. Thus, TBI Forensic Scientist are required to perform a technical review of each case tested by a private lab, upload the results to the CODIS database, and report all potentially CODIS eligible DNA profiles generated from the SAKs.

More than 5,000 DNA profiles from these SAKs have been added to the CODIS database resulting in more than 2,000 CODIS hits. This has provided new information for more than 1,500 cases of sexual assault.

TCA 39-13-519 aims to prevent such an occurrence by requiring law enforcement agencies to develop policies and procedures to handle SAKs in a timely manner. The statute requires all law enforcement agencies to submit a SAK for testing within 30 days of a police report being filed.

Once a victim files a police report, TCA 39-13-519 requires all law enforcement agencies in Tennessee to submit SAKs to the TBI Crime Lab or other similar qualified laboratory for either serology or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing within 30 days. However, various agencies have internal policies with a shorter submission time. For instance, the Memphis Police Department requires all SAKs to be submitted for testing within 96 hours of collection.

Yes, if the victim is a minor. No, if the victim is an adult. An adult victim has to give permission for his/her SAK to be released for testing. If an adult victim elects not to report the alleged offense to law enforcement at the time of the forensic medical examination, the SAK becomes a Hold Kit and is marked with an identifying number, not the victim’s name. The SAK is stored for a minimum of ten years by the appropriate law enforcement agency. The victim is given the identifying number placed on the Hold Kit, information about where and how long the kit will be stored, and the procedures for making a police report.

If an adult victim does not want to pursue criminal charges at the time of the forensic medical examination, the SAK becomes a Hold Kit and is marked with an identifying number, not the victim’s name. The SAK is stored for a minimum of ten years by the appropriate law enforcement agency. The victim is given the identifying number placed on the Hold Kit, information about where and how long the kit will be stored, and the procedures for making a police report.

A Hold Kit is a SAK from an adult victim who elected not to report the alleged offense to law enforcement at the time of his/her forensic medical examination. The SAK is stored for a minimum of ten years by the appropriate law enforcement agency. The victim is given the identifying number placed on the Hold Kit, information about where and how long the kit will be stored, and the procedures for making a police report. All SAKs collected for juvenile victims are submitted for testing.

Many factors can affect the length of time it takes for a SAK to be tested. Manpower is a major factor. Each lab has a limited number of Forensic Scientists trained in Forensic Biology. The amount of evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies also affects turnaround times. Evidence that is designated as a “rush case” can also delay testing of other SAKs. Rush cases can be those that involve public safety or where the victim is especially vulnerable, which can include children or the elderly.