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Thousands of Rape Kits untested in Maryland

Posted at 9:38 AM, Oct 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-27 18:28:06-04

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Thousands of rape kits in Maryland have not been tested, according to data provided by law enforcement agencies to state officials.

Citing figures obtained under the state Public Information Act, The Baltimore Sun reports that police in Maryland have left more than 3,500 of the kits untested. 

According to law enforcement agencies, victims declining to pursue charges or prosecutors deciding against taking a case are just some of the reasons for not testing kits.
 
Other reasons include if the victim already knew the suspect.
 
Montgomery County police reported the most untested rape kits, with 1,165.
 
The Baltimore Police Department came in second with 871 untested kits. 
 
The attorney general's office is set to release a report on the numbers in December, along with its recommendation for handling untested kits.
 

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