This article summarizes the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) recent publication entitled, "National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach," which presents recommendations for the contents, testing, and use of sexual assault kits (SAKs) in a victim-centered processing of sexual assault cases.
This publication contains 35 recommendations from NIJ's expert working group. These recommendations emphasize the use of a multidisciplinary team that gives priority to the development and implementation of a case management procedure that gives priority to supporting victims throughout the criminal justice process. The recommendations resulted from the work of NIJ. A collaborative, informed, and sensitive approach to sexual assault investigations assists in reassuring and supporting victims of sexual violence, improves victim engagement in facilitating healing, and increases the potential for just resolutions in such cases. Although jurisdictions vary in their needs and resources, the recommendations can provide a "roadmap" for agencies in the development or improvement of their policies and protocols for untested sexual assault kits, which can hold critical evidence for obtaining justice and some resolution for the victim. This article provides online access to the full report.