A new state plan announced on Tuesday, Aug. 10, calls for collecting DNA samples from anyone convicted of crimes against a person or a felony, to give survivors of sexual assault more control over their cases.
Over the past 25 years thousands of lawfully owed DNA samples were not collected in Alaska for various reasons, said Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Now the governor has directed the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections to begin collecting 100% of the DNA owed in all authorized cases going forward and to collect DNA from over 20,000 offenders who owe the state a sample of their DNA under state law.
Dunleavy also called for a reduction of sexual assault kit testing and processing times to 90 days and an increase in funds to add more staff and resources to accomplish that goal. The governor said that the Department of Public Safety has cleared the backlog of previously unsubmitted untested sexual assault kits from all law enforcement agencies in Alaska.
The plan includes use of software and a tracking database to allow survivors and agencies involved in sexual assault response the ability to track the status and location of sexual assault evidence kits.
