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  • Alaska failed to obtain DNA samples from 21,000 people accused of crimes, contrary to state law

    Alaska put itself at the cutting edge of rape investigations in 2007 by passing a law requiring the collection of DNA samples from people arrested for a variety of crimes. The system is meant to aid in solving rapes, homicides and other crimes, and prevent serial offenses. But the state now admits that 1 in 4 qualifying cases never have a DNA sample collected, often because police either didn't know or didn't care about the requirement. Investigators are trying to collect samples from more than 20,000 old cases while improving procedures going forward.

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  • After 3 years and $1.5 million devoted to testing rape kits, Alaska made one new arrest

    Despite hopes that testing a backlog of rape kits would reveal many new serial-rape suspects, Alaska's three-year push to test 568 kits under the federally funded Sexual Assault Kit Initiative led to only one new prosecution. The reasons the program fell short of expectations include a lack of usable DNA samples, errors by investigators, cases in which victims and suspects had died or victims no longer wished to proceed, or the kits revealed no evidence that wasn't previously known. Alaska is now footing the bill to test more kits, which contain physical evidence collected after a rape.

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  • Call him 'Minimum Mike' if you like, but this Barrow judge is trying something new

    People affected by fetal alcohol syndrome disorder are more likely to be convicted. In Alaska, one court provides convicts with FASD counselors and patience, making the court system more equitable and hoping to reduce recidivism.

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