Detroit's Cold Case: 250+ Convictions from Untested Kits

In Detroit, a monumental investigation into thousands of sexual assault cases has yielded over 250 convictions, stemming from evidence kits that remained untested for decades. This effort, known as the Detroit Sexual Assault Kit Project, had secured 263 convictions by April 2025, with investigations ongoing. The project began in 2009 when authorities found 11,341 untested kits from 1984 to 2009 in a police warehouse.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy spearheaded the initiative, securing millions in funding from government agencies, foundations, and private donors. Actress Mariska Hargitay and her Joyful Heart Foundation provided significant financial and public support, helping to raise awareness among lawmakers. Her involvement was instrumental in passing legislation that reformed how Michigan handles sexual assault evidence, including new tracking systems for survivors.

The cost of testing each kit, between $1,200 and $1,500, presented a major hurdle, requiring millions for the 11,341 kits. By 2019, all original kits were tested. The project's impact has extended nationwide, linking cases to 40 US states and helping solve over 5,000 cases, including identifying 22 serial rapists. Hargitay later produced an Emmy Award-winning documentary, "I Am Evidence," highlighting this issue.

Despite the completion of testing by 2019, investigations and prosecutions connected to these cold cases were still active in 2025. The Detroit project's methodologies are now used to develop best practices for sexual assault case investigations and evidence management across the United States, demonstrating a lasting commitment to justice and victim support.