Georgia agency says thousands of rape kits await testing

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says more than 4,200 rape kits containing evidence from sexual assault cases statewide await testing.

A report this month says the agency also has evidence from more than 5,400 cases that occurred before 1999 and will determine if DNA analysis is still needed.

A new state law prompted this month's report. The law was intended to speed up testing of rape kits following reports of sexual assault.

Law enforcement agencies now have to pick up kits from hospitals within 96 hours and submit evidence to the state for testing within 30 days.

Rep. Scott Holcomb, who sponsored the law, called the numbers "horrifying." He says the new law is working but now local and state agencies need to test the evidence and prosecute offenders.