BALTIMORE (WMAR) — A report released by the Maryland Attorney General's Office found that around 270 rape kits were destroyed by multiple state law enforcement agencies between 2017 and 2019.
The annual report is compiled by the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee.
Created during the 2017 Maryland General Assembly, the committee was established to create uniform, statewide policies regarding the collection, testing, and retention of medical forensic evidence in sexual assault cases and increase access to justice for sexual assault victims.
Agencies that destroyed the most kits over the last two years include, the Harford County Sheriff's Office, 87, the Frederick County Police Department, 84, The Frederick County Sheriff's Office, 26, and the Hagerstown Police Department, 15.
Some departments destroyed no kits including, Baltimore City Police, Anne Arundel County Police, Carroll County Sheriff's, Cecil County Sheriff's, Prince George's County Police, Montgomery County Police, and Howard County Police.
Out of all the agencies, the report said 1661 rape kits were tested in that two year span.
The full report can be read below.
123019 SAEK Committee 2020 Report by Wmar Web on Scribd
