Anatomy of Sex Crimes: Investigations of Untested Rape Kits
This webinar is Part 1 of the four-part Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Backlog Webinar Series.
In this webinar, you will learn about:
- How the FLPD tested SAEKs and managed CODIS hits
- Strategies for prioritizing SAEK cases
- Future plans to continue these efforts
Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) Legislation Webinar Series
Series Summary:
Forensic laboratories are often overwhelmed by the volume of sexual assault evidence kits (SAEKs) they receive for processing. This four-part webinar series, presented jointly by Promega and Bode Technology, addresses legislative issues and workflow efficiencies for SAEK processing in the US. The expert speakers will answer audience questions in a live session after the main presentation.
In this series, you will learn about:
- SAEK testing and managing CODIS hits
- Managing an increased workload from SAEK legislation
- Workflow changes to speed processing and analysis
- Future efforts to prevent case backlogs
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Part 1 - Anatomy of Sex Crimes: Investigations of Untested Rape Kits
Summary:
The first in this series describes how the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) worked to process many of these cases under a SAKI grant. Representatives from both the FLPD and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s office explore the challenges they faced and share key successes for the program.
Other webinars in this series:
Effectively Managing the Workload from Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Legislation
Embracing the Challenge of Sexual Assault Kit Testing
Wisconsin’s Effort to Inventory and Triage 6,800+ Backlogged Sexual Assault Evidence Kits
Speakers
Hector Martinez
Sergeant
Fort Lauderdale Police Department
Sergeant Hector Martinez has over 26 years of experience as a law enforcement officer with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD). He has served in the Patrol Davison, Community Policing, Filed Training Officer, SWAT, Tactical Bike Patrol, Honor Guard, Office of Internal Affairs and Criminal investigations. He is currently the Criminal Investigations Division’s Special Victims Unit Sergeant. He has served in this position since 2011. Sergeant Martinez has gained extensive training and experience investigating sex crimes, domestic violence, child and elderly abuse, Human Trafficking, and Internet Crimes Against Children. He has been involved in the investigation process and review of thousands of cases related to sex crimes, domestic violence, crimes against children and crimes against the elderly, human trafficking and internet crimes against children. He possesses a bachelors in Criminal Justice Management and he is currently the SAKI Grant Site Manager for FLPD.
Tara Sessa, MS
CODIS Administrator | Forensic Biology Unit
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Crime Laboratory
Tara Sessa is the Local CODIS Administrator with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Biology Unit. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy with a concentration in Forensic Science DNA and Serology from the University of Florida. She started at PBSO in 1997 as a laboratory technician then advanced to Forensic Scientist where she conducted serology and DNA on case evidence. In 2002, she was promoted to her current position of Local CODIS Administrator.