Total Credits: 0.5 including 0.0 Ethics CLE, 0.5 CLE
Since 2017 the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) has been tasked to track all sexual assault kits (SAK’s) collected across the state. To accomplish this goal AZDPS implemented a new web-based program called Track-Kit. This system not only ensures that all SAK’s are submitted and tested by a forensic laboratory, but it also allows nurses, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victims to have access to the progress of their case in real time. The AZDPS also continues to support state law enforcement Rapid DNA program, which has had many successes in a variety of cases. Recently new legislation has provided more opportunities for the program to expand. And soon there are plans to have Rapid DNA available at police booking stations.
| Sex Assault Kit Tracking & Rapid DNA in Arizona UPDATED (1.5 MB) | 28 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Grant Belancik is a Supervising Forensic Scientist at the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Crime Lab, located in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Belancik has been with the department over 14 years, and currently manages the DNA Casework Unit, focusing on sexual assaults. He is also currently a member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Before becoming a supervisor, Mr. Belancik spent several years as both a DNA and serology analyst, and worked on a variety of different cases including violent crimes, sexual assaults and property crimes (i.e. burglary, theft, vandalism, etc.). During that time he also became involved with training new analysts, and participated several laboratory validations. Since 2013, Mr. Belancik has also been a member of the lab’s Crime Scene Response Team, which assists law enforcement agencies in investigations across the state of AZ. Before beginning his esteemed career at the AZDPS Crime Lab, Mr. Belancik graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, as well as a master’s degree in Forensic Science and Law. Today Mr. Belancik focuses his efforts on process improvements and employee development to meet the ever-growing demand for forensic DNA analysis, and to better serve the community.
Mark Smith has been employed with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 21 years and currently supervises the Technical Support Unit, covering both the statewide Breath Alcohol and Law Enforcement Rapid DNA Programs. Prior to that, he was the DNA Database supervisor and has processed casework for nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA cases
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