Duluth PD join Law Enforcement Agencies in Defending High Number of Untested Rape Kits

Three law enforcement agencies in Minnesota are defending themselves after a statewide report found they have the most untested rape kits in the state. 

According to the Star Tribune, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Duluth Police and St. Cloud Police Departments say they are following the law by saving evidence while testing only kits that are valuable in a criminal case. 

The kits are also not tested when a known rape suspect admits to sex, or when a victim decides to not press charges. 

During the 2015 Legislative session,  lawmakers directed the Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to provide a complete inventory of untested rape kits in the hands of all publicly funded forensic labs, county sheriff offices, and police departments in Minnesota. 

Reports released in November from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension revealed that Duluth Police have 578 untested rape kits.  The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is second in the state, with 495 untested kits.  The St. Cloud Police Department is third with 306. 

There is no state law dictating which evidence must be tested.  

The decision is at the discretion of each department.