Akron, Ohio Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Results in 15 Arrests, Gets $2 Million Grant Renewal

The Akron Police Department now has more than $2 million to continue with its Akron Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

The department said it received a renewal grant for more than $2 million for its ASAKI program. The money was approved by Akron City Council and with the support of Mayor Dan Horrigan.

The money will allow investigators to continue to identify dangerous, unknown sexual assault offenders, the department said in a news release. The unit uses advanced DNA testing and research to identify cold case sexual assault suspects. Investigators use genetic genealogy testing and a DNA profile in sexual assault kits, and compare results to genealogy databases to find the owner of the DNA profile or close family relatives.

The remainder of this story may be found at: https://bit.ly/3gcjQFD.