system . Rather , the kit number and its location will be the main components tracked . An example of a kit workflow could look as follows :
1 . SAK vendor enters kit numbers into the system and sends the kits to agency 2 . Agency receives kits from vendor 3 . Collection site ( hospital , sexual assault center , etc .) performs forensic medical exam and reports kit has been collected in system 4 . Collection site notifies law enforcement in system that kit is ready for pick up 5 . Law enforcement retrieves kit from collection site and indicates in system that they now have ownership 6 . Law enforcement submits kit to the GBI crime lab for testing 7 . Crime lab accepts kit and begins analysis 8 . Crime lab completes analysis and notifies law enforcement that kit is ready for pick up 9 . Law enforcement picks up kit from crime lab and stores kits
There are variations to this workflow that include , but are not limited to , reported kit versus non-reported kit , out of state jurisdiction , or military involvement . CJCC has worked diligently with state partners and pilot sites to identify all possible workflow scenarios in Georgia . The SAK Tracking System also has a survivor portal that allows victims to track the ownership of their kit throughout its life cycle . After the forensic medical exam , the victim will be given a card located within the kit that contains the system website URL , kit number and pin number . The victim only needs the kit number and pin to log in and view the status . Status designations include police department received kit from sexual assault center , police department has sent kit to GBI , GBI has begun analysis of kit , etc .
Next Steps
CJCC has selected pilot site users in Athens-Clarke , Richmond , Dougherty , Carroll , Gwinnett , and Chatham counties that will test the system starting September 14 , 2021 through the end of October . The system is then expected to go live around the State beginning in November .
A phased roll out approach will be utilized to ensure all required entities are sufficiently trained and registered users of the system by June 30 , 2022 . Written guides , as well as training videos , have been developed to support system users . Additionally , the CJCC SAK Tracking System administrators will be presenting at conferences and working with State partners to provide comprehensive user training .
Liz Flowers is the Sexual Assault Unit Supervisor at Georgia ’ s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council ( CJCC ). At CJCC , she oversees several statewide projects including the Sexual Assault Response Team State Expert Committee that provides guidance and resources to SART teams statewide . She provides guidance in the development of resources , such as training curricula for law enforcement , prosecutors , service providers and sexual assault nurse examiners . She oversees the administration of all state and federal grants that provide direct service funding to sexual assault centers in Georgia . Liz has over 9 years ’ experience in sexual assault , domestic violence and direct service to victims of crime . Previously , she was a Behavioral Specialist at Hillside , Inc . There , she provided expertise in the application of best practices for crisis and therapeutic interventions , and child advocacy policy development and adherence . Liz holds a bachelor ’ s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Georgia and a master ’ s degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University .
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