The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) failed to follow state law and national best practices in its long-delayed implementation of a new sexual assault kit (SAK) tracking system, according to an Oct. 31 report from the S.C. Legislative Audit Council (LAC).
But in a sharply worded 10-page response, SLED Chief Mark Keel slammed what he called the report’s “countless misrepresentations” and claimed that auditors “disregarded important information in order to paint a seemingly predetermined and flawed narrative of SLED’s performance.”
Among the report’s key findings:
- SLED failed to meet its legally-mandated June 1, 2022, deadline for implementation, finally bringing the system online on Feb. 20, 2024.
- The Sexual Assault Kit Task Force, a stakeholder body created in September 2020 to guide and assist in the implementation of the new tracking system, has met only twice since its formation.
- SLED’s contract to outsource SAK testing violates state law because it does not require the vendor to participate in the tracking process.
- SLED cannot verify the number of untested kits statewide.
- Testing in S.C. remains highly inefficient, with an average completion time of 457 days compared to 90 days or less in most states.
In its conclusion, the report found that “the current system of investigating sexual assault offenses is inefficient. In the absence of mandated processing and storage times, justice is being delayed or denied for victims, many of whom are under the age of 18.”
In contrast, Keel’s point-by-point rebuttal concludes SLED “successfully implemented” the new tracking system, meeting the law’s “stated intent” to “empower survivors with information, assist law enforcement with investigations and crime prevention, and create transparency and foster public trust.”
- To read the complete report, as well as SLED’s full response, visit the LAC website.
In other recent news
S.C. House Freedom Caucus founder may face federal charges. A federal court filing confirms that federal authorities seized several electronic devices from S.C. Rep. R.J. May, R-Lexington. And they could be used for federal charges, the story says.
State panel votes to remove 7 books from S.C. schools. The board’s Instructional Materials Review Committee agreed with agency staff that seven contemporary novels should be removed from classrooms and library shelves, while three classic novels can stay. The recommendations will go for final approval before the full state board on Tuesday.
High court not stopping Moore’s Friday execution. South Carolina death row inmate Richard Moore had more than 20 people, including jurors, a judge and a former prison director, asking Gov. Henry McMaster to spare his life in a clemency petition filed Wednesday, just two days before he was scheduled to die by lethal injection for the 1999 killing of a store clerk. The S.C. Supreme Court has refused to stop the execution.
S.C. among states turning miscarriages, stillbirths into criminal cases. How a person handles a pregnancy loss — and where it occurs — can be the difference between a private medical issue and facing criminal charges.
‘Citizen only’ voting amendment on 2024 S.C. ballot aims to change legal language. South Carolina voters will decide whether a single word should change in the South Carolina constitution to specify that “only” citizens can vote, even though it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal or state elections. In other state election news, early voting continues to break S.C. records, as Dems are on defense in Statehouse races.
Beeple’s Election Night party pokes fun at political theater Beeple’s Election Night party pokes fun at political theater. World-renowned artist Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple, will host a wild election Night party at his Daniel Island studio space Nov. 5. It’s sure to be an experience.
S.C.-hired firm has two months left to investigate the mysterious $1.8B. A Washington, D.C., firm continues to comb through 16,000 files and 27 gigabytes of data to find the origins of $1.8 billion in South Carolina tax dollars that sat unidentified and untouched — on paper, at least — for more than five years.
WaterSC holds first meeting to begin work on state water plan. A group tasked with ensuring South Carolina’s most precious resource is accessible and safe for generations to come met for the first time Wednesday in West Columbia.
S.C. to preserve 62,000 acres of forestland in Pee Dee area. More than 62,000 acres of Pee Dee forestland — three times the size of Hilton Head Island — will be preserved for future generations of South Carolinians.
McMaster warns of S.C.’s child welfare system’s future. Gov. Henry McMaster addressed the news of the head of the Department of Social Services, who is stepping down in January, Monday, telling reporters that the future of S.C.’s child welfare system is at a “breaking point.”
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!