Leveraging Technology to Address Sexual Assault Kit Backlogs and Strengthen Survivor Support

Leveraging Technology to Address Sexual Assault Kit Backlogs

Across the nation, agencies are working to address one of the most critical challenges in forensic investigation: sexual assault kit (SAK) backlogs. These delays not only hinder the pursuit of justice but can also erode survivors’ trust in the system meant to protect them. Building on the success of Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), the Forensic Advantage Systems SAK Tracking system is helping agencies nationwide use technology to transform how kits are tracked, tested, and reported, ensuring every kit and every survivor receives the attention they deserve.

Background & Challenges

Many jurisdictions continue to face significant hurdles in managing sexual assault kit workflows. Common challenges include fragmented communication between law enforcement, labs, and medical providers; limited visibility into kit progress; and inconsistent procedures for notifying survivors.

Without a unified platform, kits can get delayed, misplaced, or unreported, creating both administrative burdens and emotional strain for those awaiting updates. The result is a system that struggles to provide the transparency and accountability survivors deserve.

Technology and Approach

To solve these issues, Forensic Advantage developed a comprehensive SAK Tracking system centered on three guiding principles: empowerment, accountability, and accessibility.

The platform enables agencies to monitor every kit, from collection to analysis and beyond, within a secure, user-friendly environment. Survivors can log in at any time to see real-time updates on their kit’s status, providing reassurance that their case is progressing. Meanwhile, authorized users across law enforcement, healthcare, and crime labs can access accurate data instantly, ensuring compliance and coordination at every stage.

Built for both local agencies and statewide implementations, the system adapts to the unique needs of each jurisdiction. Its mobile-friendly design allows users to access critical information anywhere, reducing bottlenecks and eliminating the gaps that once contributed to backlogs.

Success Story: Georgia’s CJCC

The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) offers a powerful example of what’s possible when technology and teamwork align. By adopting the Forensic Advantage SAK Tracking system, CJCC created a unified, transparent process that connects agencies statewide under a single platform.

Since launch, agencies across Georgia have used the system to improve tracking accuracy, reduce delays, and ensure survivors can check their kit status whenever they choose. The initiative has become a model for other states, demonstrating how the right technology can rebuild trust, enhance accountability, and deliver meaningful progress toward justice.

Results & Best Practices

Agencies adopting SAK tracking technology often see measurable improvements in key areas:

• Reduced Backlogs: Automation and visibility minimize manual data entry and delays.

• Survivor Empowerment: Real-time access helps rebuild confidence and trust in the system.

• Interagency Collaboration: Shared access ensures smooth coordination among medical, forensic, and legal partners.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Aggregated data supports policy development and funding priorities.

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By prioritizing transparency and accountability, FAS SAK Tracking system helps transform a historically complex process into one that is survivor-centered, efficient, and compliant with modern standards.

Looking Ahead

As CJCC’s success demonstrates, leveraging technology to address sexual assault kit backlogs isn’t just possible, it’s sustainable. With continued collaboration between state agencies, technology providers, and advocacy organizations, more jurisdictions can follow Georgia’s lead and create systems that uphold justice while prioritizing survivors’ needs.

Forensic Advantage remains committed to helping agencies across the country build on this momentum. Whether you’re part of a statewide initiative or a single local agency, our SAK Tracking platform puts the right information in the right hands, so every kit is tracked, and every survivor is supported.