Many of the hundreds of rape kits that Colorado police departments receive are never tested. KRCC’s Eliza Densmore reports.
Rape kits typically contain DNA evidence of sexual assault, including hair, clothing, and bodily fluids. Once the kits are tested, their information is sent to a national database.
The Denver Police Department has received more than 1,000 rape kits since 2008, 44% percent of which have not been tested. The Fort Collins Police Department has collected 240 kits since 2007, 72% of which have not been tested.
Captain Don Vagge of the Fort Collins PD told KMGH-TV that in cases where they’re unsure whether or not an assault actually took place, those rape kits are not tested.
Other police departments say they don’t want to test evidence that may not result in arrest.
No one was available at the Colorado Springs Police Department for comment.
