Zanesville Police Chief Scott Comstock has been named to a 17-member working group assembled by Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson to improve how law enforcement agencies collect, process and report sexual assault evidence.
The group will explore ways agencies can better meet an Ohio Revised Code requirement that entities receiving, maintaining, storing or preserving sexual assault kits report those kits and case statuses to the attorney general’s office each year for an annual report. The meetings are expected to uncover gaps, problems or failures in the reporting process and explain why many Ohio agencies do not submit reports.
The kits carry two realities, the attorney general’s office said: a victim who has been harmed and an offender who has likely committed a crime, making the handling, testing and processing of the evidence crucial to the justice system.
Comstock said he brings the perspective of a mid-size department with a strong track record on sexual assault cases. Other members represent large cities including Cleveland and Columbus and sheriff’s offices that take custody of evidence in smaller communities. The group is expected to convene for the first time in October.
