The Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking Program was created by the Crime Laboratory Service after the 85th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 281 requiring the Texas Department of Public Safety to develop and implement a statewide electronic tracking system for evidence collected in cases involving sexual assault or other sex offenses, according to DPS. The program will be implemented on Sept. 1.
The system to tracks the status and location of each item of evidence through various stages of the criminal justice process, allow entities involved in the handling of the evidence to update and track the status and location of evidence and allow survivors to anonymously track or receive updates on the status of evidence, according to DPS. Participation in the tracking system is required by any entity that collects evidence of sexual assault or other sex offenses or investigates or prosecutes such offenses.
Cleburne Police Sgt. Kelly Summey said this program might be able to provide a feeling of control by the survivor over a situation they may not have felt control over in some time.
“It also provides law enforcement and prosecutors a streamline process to track evidence that is so important in prosecuting these types of cases for the survivors,” Summey said. “Since the tracking system is web based, there is no expensive software or equipment that agencies will be required to purchase.
“The Cleburne Police Department looks forward to participating in the use of this new tracking system and the benefits the system will provide to the survivors of sexual assault and to law enforcement and prosecutors.”
©2019 the Cleburne Times-Review (Cleburne, Texas). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
