Update: Funding for rape kit testing leads to arrests and convictions in Flint

FLINT, MICH-- Flint police detective, Mona Patterson takes on the cases many others would run from.

" We had a suspect that referred to himself at the boogie man."

She's a Criminal Sexual Conduct Cold Case Detective for Flint's sexual assault kit initiative. For her, every case is personal.

"I was a sexual assault victim myself as a 12 year old so I want to seek justice for the victims."

Justice doesn't always come easy and the process can be long.

Patterson says it starts in the lab testing rape kits, once the results are in and hit is made, it's her job to make sure the victim wants to move the case forward.

" 98 percent I would even say 99 percent of them are excited. We are there, but of course a lot of different emotions come through."

Patterson says she works with a victim advocate from YWCA , another detective and the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office to make sure each case is handled with care.

So far the team has arrested 37 suspects, five of them who are believed to be serial rapists.

Five people have been convicted, the latest sentence handed down to Lamont James in 2017 who had several victims including one from Flint in 2010.

"In the end, he ended up being sentenced to 17 to 30 years and he said to the judge he doesn't want to be released because he might do it again," said Patterson.