More than 1,800 untested sexual assault kits from before Oct. 1, 2014, have been found at law enforcement agencies outside Wayne County, according to Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
That number comes from a survey sent by Schuette in September to prosecutors in all Michigan counties except Wayne.
"Experience shows that testing every kit helps law enforcement solve crimes and stop serial rapists," Schuette said in a prepared statement.
"Our hope is to get these processed as soon as possible and get any potential investigations and prosecutions underway," said Andrea Bitely, Schuette's communications director, adding "We're working with the local prosecutors to make sure they have a plan and a solution that works for them in their county."
Bitely said the survey did not ask why the kits had not been tested.
Tests of the backlogged kits will be paid for using $1.7 million dollars in state funds appropriated for this purpose.
Agencies that reported more than 100 untested kits included the Flint Police Department (261), the Battle Creek Police Department (239), the Grand Rapids Police Department (199), and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (113). The survey results by agency can be found here.
In September, Michigan State Police cleared a backlog of more than 10,000 sexual assault kits in Detroit.
