The figures below provide a snapshot overview of the progress of VCSAKI. These figures were last updated on March 5, 2024. The VCSAKI team will continually update this page to reflect the progress of this initiative. The inventory of unsubmitted sexual assault kits is still in progress, so an approximate number is listed at this time. Definitions for the terms used can be found below.
Inventory
*Inventory numbers are static and based on the inventory conducted before testing began.
Testing
CODIS
Definitions
Sexual Assault Kit – a box that contains materials, such as swabs, for documenting and preserving evidence collected during a forensic sexual assault examination at a medical facility.
Sexual Assault Kit Derivatives – samples collected from a sexual assault kit by the crime lab in the past, usually for the purpose of conducting some type of biological testing other than modern DNA analysis. These samples consist of things like cuttings taken from swabs. Other than in the "Inventory" section above, statistics for sexual assault kit derivatives are grouped with statistics for sexual assault kits on this page.
Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kit – a sexual assault kit or sexual assault kit derivative that has either: (1) never been submitted to a laboratory for testing; or (2) was submitted to a laboratory for testing but the testing performed was something other than modern DNA analysis that allows suspected offender profiles to be uploaded to CODIS. Sexual assault kits in the second category are typically older kits that pre-date modern DNA testing.
Law Enforcement Agencies – includes all local law enforcement agencies: California State University Channel Islands Police Department, Port Hueneme Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, Ventura Police Department, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Crime Lab – the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Forensic Services Bureau. The Forensic Services Bureau serves as the crime laboratory for all criminal cases in Ventura County.
CODIS - The Combined DNA Indexing System is a software system that contains databases of DNA profiles from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the federal government. DNA profiles in CODIS including profiles from qualifying convicted offenders and arrestees as well as profiles obtained from evidence, such as a sexual assault kit. For more information about CODIS Click Here.
Uploaded DNA Profile – a DNA profile suspected of belonging to a sexual assault perpetrator that is uploaded to CODIS for comparison to other DNA profiles. Victim profiles are never uploaded to CODIS.
CODIS Hit – where a uploaded DNA profile from a sexual assault kit or derivative matches a DNA profile in CODIS.
CODIS Offender Hit – where a DNA profile from a sexual assault kit or derivative was uploaded to CODIS and matched a DNA profile of an offender or arrestee in CODIS.
CODIS Case-to-Case Hit – where a DNA profile from a sexual assault kit or derivative was uploaded to CODIS and matched a DNA profile in CODIS obtained from evidence in another case. A case-to-case hit matches evidentiary profiles in two or more crimes, as opposed to matching to a specific individual. Therefore, these matches represent connections between cases and may not provide information which identifies a suspect.
ADD DEFINITIONS IN THIS SECTION WHEN WE ADD THE "INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION" GRAPHIC
Cases Filed – charges were filed against a suspect in Ventura County Superior Court. A filed case could also be a case where an arrest warrant, supported by a criminal charging document is approved by a judge.
Filed Case Associated with a Previously Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kit – charges were filed after an unsubmitted sexual assault kit was tested.
Filed Case NOT Associated with a Previously Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kit – case was identified for further investigation via a method other than the testing of an unsubmitted sexual assault kit. This could include cases referred to the District Attorney’s Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit (CCSAU) by law enforcement agencies, or those identified by CCSAU investigators.