Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations
Minutes of the Meeting of February 23, 2015
Office of the Chief State's Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
In attendance: Maureen Platt, Chair, Brian Narkewicz, Candida Fusco, Joy Reho, Laura Cordes, Nikki Seymour, Denise Covington, Meg Grant, Michele Noehren, Marielle Daniels, Jillian Gilchrest
The Meeting was called to order at 3:05 pm.
Laura Cordes discussed and explained the recent survey regarding the retention of sexual assault kits by law enforcement agencies. She also outlined a recent bill which has been proposed which would set time limits for law enforcement agencies in submitting these kits to the lab and also set time requirements for the lab in processing these kits.
The Commission passed three resolutions regarding these issues:
1. A resolution was unanimously passed requiring (a) all law enforcement agencies to transport sexual assault kits to the state lab for processing within ten days of receipt; (b) the state lab to test such kits within 60 days of receipt; and (c) that all anonymous kits should be held by the state lab for a period of five years after receipt.
2. A resolution was passed thanking CONNSACS for their tremendous efforts in conducting the survey and tabulating the results.
3. A resolution was passed requiring that every kit be tested except for anonymous kits.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:26 pm.