AG report recommends establishing state crime team to solve cold cases
Dec 26, 2019, 4:23 PM | Updated: 4:26 pm
A report released by Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office calls on the state to provide resources devoted to solving cold cases and to establish a statewide practice of collecting court-ordered DNA samples.
The report was released by an advisory group created by bipartisan legislation that was co-sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) and Rep. Gina Mosbrucker (R-Goldendale).
“This report proposes important next steps toward justice for sexual assault survivors,” Ferguson said in a news release. “My office looks forward to working with the Legislature to implement these recommendations.”
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The full list of recommendations listed in the new report are for the state to:
-Provide resources for the investigation and prosecution of cold cases.
-Convene an advisory group to develop standard protocols for access to victim advocacy services in hospitals.
-Store unreported sexual assault kits and any additional items collected during a forensic examination at local law enforcement agencies with funding appropriated.
-Store unreported sexual assault kits and any additional items collected during a forensic examination for 20 years. This period should be reconsidered and lengthened if the statute of limitations is changed or eliminated.
-Collect DNA samples from qualifying offenders in the courtroom at the time of sentencing.
