Maryland to join growing list of states to clear backlog of untested rape kits | 19 states have cleared their backlog, but some states still have thousands of untested kits.

Despite [incredible progress](https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-us-ended-up-with-400000-untested-rape-kits), the U.S. still has [roughly 90,000 backlogged rape kits](https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-house-must-pass-senate-bill-to-fight-rape-kit-backlog/).

[The DoJ considers kits to be backlogged when they take longer than 30 days to test](https://bja.ojp.gov/program/dna-cebr/performance-measures#0-0), though states typically use their own definition.

[Alabama](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/alab), [California](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/california/), [Indiana](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/indiana/), [Louisiana](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/louisiana/), [Maine](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/maine), [Minnesota](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/minnesota/), [Mississippi](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/mississippi/), [Nebraska](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/nebraska/), [New Hampshire](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/new-hampshire/), [New Jersey](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/new-jersey/), [Oklahoma](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/oklahoma/), [South Carolina](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/south-carolina/), [Tennessee](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/tennessee/), and [Wyoming](https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/wyoming/) **do not mandate the testing of backlogged kits**. The [U.S. DoJ](https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/utilizing-codis-unsubmitted-sexual-assault-kits) and [American Bar Association](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/women/publications/perspectives/2018/may/untested-rape-kits-delays-destruction-and-disregarded-victims/) recommend testing **all** rape kits, even when the statute of limitations (if there is one) has expired.

[DoJ explains why it makes sense to test backlogged rape kits, even if the statute of limitations has expired](https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/utilizing-codis-unsubmitted-sexual-assault-kits).

[1 in 6 women and 1 in 9 men has been victimized by rape.](https://rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence) Timely testing of rape kits can help stop [repeat offenders](https://jimhopper.com/topics/sexual-assault-and-the-brain/repeat-rape-by-college-men/#:~:text=Together) in their tracks.

[Properly investigating rapes](https://www.startribune.com/a-better-way-to-investigate-rape-denied-justice-part-eight/501636971/) would go a long way, too.