May 5, 2016 2 min read

State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane Township, said Thursday his measure requiring improved testing and reporting of evidence stemming from sexual assaults uncovered almost 2,000 backlogged and untested rape kits in the state.

“The state auditor general and the state Health Department reported this week a backlog of 1,852 untested rape kits – but even one untested rape kit is one too many,” said Neuman, whose H.B. 272, signed into law as Act 27 of 2015, required the reports as well as expedited testing of evidence. “With this vital information, Pennsylvania can move forward to provide justice to sexual assault victims and protect potential future victims.”

The auditor general’s office said it will follow up on the backlogged evidence testing – defined as kits that have been sitting for more than 12 months without being tested – and release a special report later this year to determine how to expedite the testing and improve reporting of the evidence kits.

“I salute the auditor general’s determination to ensure that victims of sexual assault receive timely attention and resolution of these horrific crimes,” Neuman said. “The reporting of this initial data is exactly what the law is intended to do.”

Neuman said his legislation also requires police to pick up the kits within three days of notification and then get them to a laboratory for testing within 15 days. Testing must be done within six months, followed by notice to the victim or surviving family.

“The report on the backlog provides further impetus to speed testing of DNA evidence stemming from sexual assaults,” Neuman said. “Federal money is available to improve reporting and testing, and it is critical that Pennsylvania pursue the improvements swiftly and responsibly.”