Maryland’s new tracking system aims to ensure sexual assault evidence isn’t lost or ignored

Maryland officials hope a simple barcode will help survivors of sexual assault navigate a confusing criminal justice system that historically has often been hostile to those who have endured traumatic and invasive attacks. The lines and numbers, ubiquitous in our lives for tracking packages and making purchases, will be applied to sexual assault evidence kits, enabling better tracking through labs and courts. (Photo: Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)