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  • Cold Case Sexual Assault Investigations: Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)

Cold Case Sexual Assault Investigations: Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)

  • 14 Jun 2023
  • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Virtual-Online

Registration


Registration is closed

Event Flyer:

The event flyer can be downloaded here:  SAKI Grant Webinar.pdf

Training Information:

The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) provides funding through a competitive grant program to support the jurisdictional reform of approaches to sexual assault cases resulting from evidence found in sexual assault kits (SAK) that have never been submitted to a crime laboratory. In 2021 Ventura County was awarded nearly $2.5 million to inventory and test unsubmitted SAKs, investigate unsolved sexual assault cases and prosecute offenders.

Training Topics will include:

SAKI overview

Process Ventura County took to apply & receive the funding

Phases of SAKI (inventory, testing, and investigation/prosecution)

Ventura County’s experience with SAKI so far

Using SAKI to fund the investigation of any unsolved sexual assault case

Instructors:


Brent Nibecker, Senior Deputy District Attorney, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office


Brent Nibecker has been a prosecutor with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for 15 years working almost exclusively with vulnerable victims. He has prosecuted numerous jury trials to verdict, including a high-profile case where a local police officer molested multiple members of his family. From 2018 through 2022, Brent supervised the Sexual Assault and Family Protection Unit where he led a team of prosecutors responsible for prosecuting sexual assault, elder abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking cases. He wrote legislation that was signed into law allowing sexual assault victims to obtain criminal protective orders as a matter of right. Brent also serves as an instructor at the Ventura County Sheriff's Academy where he teaches courtroom demeanor. On the flip side he trains new prosecutors in witness preparation. He also teaches trial preparation as an adjunct professor at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. He now helps lead the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative and prosecutes cold case sexual assaults.

Paul Walsh, DA Investigator, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office

Paul Walsh has been a peace officer in Ventura County for almost 25 years. Paul began his career at the Ventura Police Department where he worked as a patrol officer, detective in property and major crimes, and a patrol corporal. In 2010, he joined the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and was assigned to the Sexual Assault and Family Protection Unit, investigating sexual assaults, elder abuse, and domestic violence. He also worked in the Major Crimes Gang Unit where he investigated gang related homicides and assaults. In 2018, he promoted to Investigator III and was assigned to the Government Fraud Unit where he investigated major fraud cases and assisted with supervising the unit. Paul now leads cold case sexual assault investigations as part of the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

Shanin Barrios, Supervising Forensic Scientist, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office –Forensic Services Bureau. 

Shanin Barrios has been performing forensic analysis for 27 years. After obtaining her undergraduate degree in forensic science, she went on to receive a Master of Public Health in Forensic Science from the University of California at Berkeley. She has examined hundreds of evidence items for the presence of biological material and performed the subsequent DNA analysis. She also has experience in conventional serology. She has worked as a DNA casework analyst, DNA technical leader, and supervising forensic scientist. She has experience in virtually every aspect of forensic STR DNA analysis and DNA lab management. This includes evidence analysis, report writing, testifying, case management, method development and validation, preparation for laboratory accreditation, overseeing outsourcing, use of CODIS and SAFE-T, and case assignment and prioritization. Shanin leads the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

Cost:

There is no cost to attend this training.

Certification:

A training certificate will not be issued for this training.

No professional certification credits will be awarded for this training.

Zoom Link:

A link to the zoom training will be sent to each registered attendee via email on the morning of the training. 

Training Coordinator:

Ryan Clark  

rclark@csaia.org


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