Jefferson County nears end of sexual assault kit backlog, bringing justice to survivors
By Michal Higdon
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WVTM) — Jefferson County is nearing the completion of a years-long effort to test thousands of untested sexual assault kits, some dating back to 1985, providing survivors with answers and holding offenders accountable.
Inside the Jefferson County office are thousands of sexual assault cases that survivors feared had been forgotten. Investigators say each rape kit represents more than evidence—it represents a person still waiting for justice. It’s a reason the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) was created.
“Lots of times they say that they just thought they were forgotten about.” Mikayla Spruill, a criminal analyst and SAKI supervisor, said. “They’re shocked to hear from us.”
In 2016, Jefferson County inventoried more than 4,000 untested sexual assault kits. Since then, investigators, prosecutors, crime lab scientists, and victim advocates have worked to address the backlog. Today, about 90% of those kits have been submitted for testing, resulting in over 1,000 DNA matches in the national CODIS database.
“There are 448 hits to serial offenders, 264 serial offenders that we’ve identified,” Spruill said.
These DNA matches are the beginning of investigations, not the end. Investigators must track down victims decades later, locate suspects, find medical records, and rebuild cases many thought were lost forever.
“We are a victim-centered program,” said Talena Phelps, an investigator with the District Attorney’s Office. “If they don’t want to move forward, we let them know that’s okay. There’s no statute of limitations. If you ever decide you’re ready, we’ll reopen the case.”
Not every survivor chooses to revisit their trauma. Some have never told their families what happened, others are elderly, and some simply want to move on. But for those who are ready, DNA evidence is giving them another chance.
One investigation exposed serial rapist Demetrius Rome, who preyed on women in Birmingham and metro Atlanta. Using DNA evidence, authorities linked him to approximately 14 victims. He later pleaded guilty and received decades-long prison sentences in both Alabama and Georgia.
“DNA doesn’t lie,” Phelps said.
Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr said these cases send a powerful message: time does not erase the possibility of justice.
“There is no statute of limitations,” Carr said. “We may not get you in year one. We may not get you in year ten. But we may get you in 20 or 30.”
Carr called SAKI a game changer, not only for survivors but also for public safety. Every DNA match that links a serial offender to another crime may prevent someone else from becoming a victim.
“When someone’s DNA shows up in several rape kits and you’re still out there, getting those people off the streets is important—not only to that survivor, but to everyone they may come across,” Carr said.
As the backlog nears completion, the focus is shifting to prevention.
“We’re almost done with the backlog,” Jess Tomlinson, SAKI Site Coordinator, said. “How do we prevent that from reoccurring? We hope to help with legislative advocacy.”
Tomlinson is pushing for Alabama to strengthen sexual assault laws and victim protections, including extending the current 72-hour window for collecting rape kits, a measure many other states have already adopted.
End the Backlog is tracking the progress of all 50 states in enacting laws and policies embracing six legislative pillars of comprehensive rape kit reform. These are criteria experts have determined are critical elements in eliminating the untested rape kit backlog once and for all.
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