Utah County approves MOU to let Children’s Justice Center researcher link crime‑lab data for study

The Utah County Commission voted unanimously Sept. 14 to authorize a memorandum of understanding that allows Dr. Valentine and her team at the Children’s Justice Center to link crime‑lab and CJC records for research into sexual‑assault evidence collection and detection windows.

Commissioner Lee, who introduced the item, said the research could expand understanding of how long forensic evidence can be detected in young victims and help shape future national practice. "We can't redact it because there's two different databases," Lee said, explaining the need to tag records so researchers can link and then remove identifiers.

Health and justice staff described multiple institutional review board (IRB) reviews and said only a small group of researchers and assistants would handle identifying information during the linkage process; Dr. Valentine or her designee would delete identifiers after the study team extracted the required data. Staff emphasized the data will be used strictly for research rather than treatment.

The recorded motion authorized the commission to sign the MOU and passed on a 3–0 vote.

Commissioners and members of the public asked about retention limits and access controls; staff said boards that reviewed the protocol required reports back and that relying on IRB oversight and the researcher's professional interest provided added safeguards. Public comment reiterated concerns about protecting minors and asked that staff ensure appropriate controls.

The commission directed staff to proceed under the agreed protections and to follow up at the continued meeting schedule.