North Carolina
North Carolina COVID lab finds new purpose in helping police clear decades-old backlog of rape kits
Hundreds of thousands of rape kits are estimated to sit untested in police departments nationwide, according to the Joyful Heart Foundation, a group that helps sexual assault victims. This is due in part because testing resources are scarce, they say.
StarMed Healthcare, a company mostly known for mass COVID testing operations in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, is repurposing its resources to help clear this “rape kit backlog.”
“There are state agencies out there that are happy about a 120-day turnaround time. We want to make sure we are faster,” said Dr. Arin Piramzadian, StarMed’s Chief Medical Officer.
The repurposed StarMed lab can process two to four thousand kits per year.
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A rape kit is basically a collection of evidence that can include things like clothes and DNA swabs. Testing these kits is time-consuming.
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Dr. Piramzadian says law enforcement agencies around the country lack the resources to process large numbers of rape kits, which is why private labs like his are getting involved.
“In the whole country, there are 6 or 7 of these labs, and that’s it,” Piramzadian said. “The victim themselves needs closure.”
Agencies can process kits in 1 to 2 weeks.
“The private labs do play a significant role in helping us end the backlog,” said Ilse Knecht, the policy and advocacy director for the Joyful Heart Foundation.
SAN FRANCISCO VICTIM’S RAPE KIT USED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST HER YEARS LATER IN UNRELATED CASE: LAWSUIT
Any DNA that is found is sent through a series of machines to identify a suspect. StarMed compares DNA samples to a national database of criminals.
Testing backlogged kits can lead to identifying and convicting criminals.
A U.S. Congressional report published last year says 600 untested kits in Denver led to 55 arrests. In Houston, about 500 untested kits led to 16 arrests.
Quicker testing can also lead to quicker exonerations too.
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“People who are charged and are innocent, they need answers as well,” Piramzadian said.
The backlog in rape kit testing has been an issue for decades.
North Carolina
Obituary for Kristie Lee Sturgill Blake at Market Street Chapel
North Carolina
NBA Draft Scouting Report: Texas’ Tre Johnson
Drake Powell
Guard | UNC
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 185 lbs
2025 Draft Age: 19.78
As a natural wing or off-ball guard, Powell has what it takes to be an impact player at the next level. He boasts the positional size and athleticism to exploit his opponents on either end of the floor. Overall, he’s a very smart player with a competitive edge and is willing to adapt to what his team needs to win.
Powell is really best as an off-ball player offensively, especially given he’s not known for being a self-creator or primary ball-handler. However, he is a smart cutter and has found ways to position himself for success when finding space. To really take his game overall to the next level, the North Carolina freshman will need to prove he can become a better shooter. Whether it’s in the mid-range or beyond the arc, his jumper is inconsistent. Again, as an offensive prospect, he needs to improve to really become a two-way threat. The physical traits are there for him to get where he needs to be, but the development of his offensive game is a huge swing for Powell in terms of draft stock.
On the defensive end of the floor, Powell really shines. His athletic tools allow him to be all over the place and make plays on and off of the ball. He is quick, boasts length and is very smart as a defender. When thinking about what will differentiate him from other prospects at the next level, it will be his upside as a defensive prospect. He plays with tremendous energy and effort and he makes those around him better on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, he is one of the best defenders in the entire freshman class.
If Powell can convince NBA teams that he has the future projection of being a better offensive player, there’s no question he could be one of the most impactful players in the draft. In the meantime, he can lean on his defensive abilities to contribute to winning. The former five-star recruit is following in the footsteps of his father as a Tar Heel, as he played baseball for North Carolina when he was in school.
Mid to Late Lottery Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.
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North Carolina
WATCH: Steamy and Stormy in North Carolina on Friday, Heat Advisory in the eastern Triad
Friday, August 2: High humidity remains Friday with highs reaching into the 90s and feels like temperatures expected near 100 degrees. A Heat Advisory for the heat index reaching between 105 to 107 degrees is in effect from 11 a.m. Friday until 8 p.m. in the easter Piedmont Triad. Spotty to scattered storms may also bring a severe threat for the afternoon. Storms that do become severe may bring damaging wind and hail.
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