Why weren’t the kits tested?

The issue of unsubmitted sexual assault kits is not unique to Iowa. This is a nationwide issue that is being addressed. There are many reasons a sexual assault kit may not have been tested. These include: The victim may not have wished to have their kit tested, there may be a lack of education around victim-centered, trauma-informed sexual assault response, there may be a lack of understanding or clarity in the code regarding evidence, there may be a lack of resources for a department or agency, or there may be a lack of clarity around the importance of DNA.