Commission for the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations
Minutes of the Meeting of December 7, 2015
Office of the Chief State's Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
In attendance: Maureen Platt, Chair, Linda Cimino, Laura Cordes, Denise Covington, Candida Fusco, James Kenny, Brian Narkewicz, Joy Reho
The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m.
The minutes of the September meeting were reviewed and approved.
Linda Cimino gave the report for the Bill Paying Subcommittee. She reported that as of December 7, 2015, the Office of Victim Services (OVS) has paid out $963,728.00 for Evidence Collection kits, and $125,000.00 for Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) forensic interviews. This comprises about 45 percent of this year’s budget.
Denise Covington gave the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) report. She stated that the University of Connecticut program is now up and running, and efforts are being made to make sure that the students are aware of the benefits of the SAFE program. She reported the they are currently in the process of developing a second region to expand the SAFE program. Lastly, she stated that the SAFE program will soon celebrate its fifth anniversary. A reception is being planned at to honor the occasion on January 26, 2016, at 2p.m.
A report was also given by members of the new Standing Committee which has assumed the responsibility for reviewing the Technical Guidelines. Members of that subcommittee include Denis Covington, Candida Fusco, Linda Cimino, Jim Kenny and Chery Carreiro. The subcommittee hopes to thoroughly review all the Guidelines and intends on reporting back to the full Commission at the March meeting.
Joy Reho discussed the new law and its requirement that the State Lab keep all evidence collected during the pendency of the criminal prosecution. It was agreed that this requirement might prove too cumbersome for the lab in the future so that this part of the law should be re-examined late next year.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:44 p.m.
Please note our meeting dates for 2016: March 21, 2016, June 13, 2016, September 19, 2016 and December 12, 2016. All meetings will be held at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, 300 Corporate Place, Rocky Hill from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.