Resources for Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs)

G.S.15A-266.5A directed local jurisdictions to form MDTs to do case reviews of untested Sexual Assault Examination Crime Kits (SAKs).

Recommended team members, in addition to law enforcement include: prosecutors, sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), victim advocacy groups, survivors of sexual assault, and representatives from a forensic laboratory. NOTE: Smaller LEAs may have fewer participants in their MDTs. In those cases, it is highly recommended that along with law enforcement there is a prosecutor and a victim advocate

At the initial meeting, purpose and roles within the MDT should be determined. Furthermore, the workload should be assessed (initially reviewing unfounded cases) and the meeting dates set.

The first priority for the MDT created by The Survivor Act is to review all cases collected prior to January 1, 2018 and prioritize testing based on factors outlined under G.S. 15A-266.5A(d)(2). This way, LEAs will know which SAKs to send first after contacting the State Crime Laboratory and being instructed as to how many can be outsourced at that time for testing.

Note: Unfounded is definitively different from unsubstantiated. Sometimes these definitions are used interchangeably and it is critical that the definition of “unfounded” be held to its legal standard.

The adoption of G.S. 15A-266.5A promotes MDTs as a best practice for investigating and prosecuting sexual assault crimes. It is recommend that the MDT continue to meet after all untested cases are resolved because the MDT model is a national best practice for an improved response to sexual assault and is highly effective when responding to recent sexual assault cases.

It is optional, but encouraged. Any reported SAK collected between January 2, 2018 and June 30, 2019 is to be submitted as soon as is practicable. The Survivor Act does not require these post-2018 kits to be reviewed by an MDT for prioritization. However, the best practice recommendation is for a victim-centered, trauma informed MDT to review cases and to determine how to move forward with victim notification, the investigation, and prosecution.

Not before testing. Pursuant to G.S. 15A-266.5A(c)(2), any reported SAK collected on or after July 1, 2019, is to be submitted to the State Crime Laboratory, or a laboratory approved by the State Crime Laboratory, not more than 45 days after the LEA takes custody of the SAK. However, the best practice recommendation is for a victim-centered, trauma informed MDT to review cases after testing to determine how to move forward with victim notification, the investigation, and prosecution.

There are many similarities between SARTs (Sexual Assault Response Teams) and MDTs. Both are multidisciplinary teams of professionals who come to provide coordinated responses to sexual assault. Both work to address the needs of victims and hold offenders accountable. Each practices information-sharing and community education and develops local response protocols.

North Carolina’s Survivor Act uses the term MDT and places a strong focus on case reviews of untested sexual assault kits.