6-Attachment G - Sexual Assault Evidence Collection System Instructions.pdf

UTAH BUREAU OF FORENSIC SERVICES CENTRAL LABORATORY

4451 South Constitution Blvd.

Taylorsville, Utah 84129 801-965-3870

SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION SYSTEM

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE COLLECTION

OF FORENSIC LABORATORY SPECIMENS

Specimens from only ONE suspected assault case are to go into each sexual assault evidence collection kit. When all specimens have been collected, labeled, and sealed, they are placed in the kit box, with the exception of the Clothing and Underwear Bags. Then seal kit box with the “police evidence seal” provided within the kit, the individual sealing the kit should then initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the box, and securely store until it is collected by law enforcement or other designated personnel.

*Blood and Urine should NOT be stored in the kit*

DO NOT FREEZE

BEFORE YOU BEGIN, READ THE FULL PROTOCOL.

This kit is designed to assist the examining physician and/or nurse in the collection of evidentiary specimens for analysis by the crime laboratory. This kit can be used to collect appropriate samples from both male and female victims of sexual assault or suspects of an assault. The hospital is not requested or encouraged to analyze any of the specimens/ evidence collected in this kit. Any specimens required by the hospital are to be collected with hospital supplies.

STEP 1 AUTHORIZATION FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE FORM

Obtain appropriate written authorization for the release of the Sexual Assault Kit to law enforcement and the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services.

STEP 2 HOSPITAL BILLING AND REIMBURSEMENT FORMS

A. The blue colored Fast Track Reimbursement form is to be completed by hospital personnel and forwarded to the hospital billing department for reimbursement of services.

B. The cream colored Program Explanation sheet is given to the patient.

C. The white colored Crime Victim’s Reparation long form is to be given to the patient or completed by an advocate.

STEP 3 COMPLETE THE MEDICAL REPORT FORM

Fill out all information requested on the form. Photocopy the completed document. Retain the original for your records. Place a photocopy in the envelope provided in the kit, then tape envelope to the bottom of the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit. The law enforcement agency will also require a copy.

AVOID CONTAMINATION OF DNA SWABS AND OTHER EVIDENCE

Wear a mask when collecting and packaging swabs and other evidence such as clothing or debris. If any males are in the exam room, ask them to wear a mask during the collection of evidence, including when swabs are opened until packaged in appropriate evidence envelopes. (2 masks contained in the kit box)

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STEP 4 CLOTHING

1. Wet or damp clothing should be air dried before packaging.

2. If the patient is not wearing clothing worn at the time of the assault, collect only the items that are in direct contact with the genital area. Inform the officer of this fact.

5. Give these items to the investigating agency.

CLOTHING

Clothing should be collected if history reports possibility of seminal fluid or other DNA evidence that would identify the assailant. As each article of clothing is removed, it should be placed in a new, clean paper bag (not provided in kit). A separate paper bag should be used for each article of clothing. Write the patient’s name, date collected, time collected, and collected by on each bag. Seal each bag with secure tape (3M clear packing tape, not provided in kit), initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the bag.

*Do not package underwear in kit*

STEP 5 DEBRIS AND SKIN SWAB COLLECTION

1. DEBRIS COLLECTION

Remove folded paper sheet from Debris Collection envelope. Unfold and place on a flat surface.

Collect the debris from patient and place it on the paper. Refold the paper in manner to retain debris.

Place folded paper in the Debris Collection envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

2. SKIN SWAB

Skin Swabs are collected from areas that might contain dry semen, blood, saliva from a bite or other oral contact, or from areas that have been touched by the assailant where skin cells might help identify an unknown assailant. Skin swabs should be collected by lightly moistening two (2) swabs with sterile distilled water or normal saline. Using both swabs simultaneously, swab the area. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab box labeled Skin Swabs. Write a brief description of the location of the stain on the box. Place all swab boxes containing body stain samples in the Skin Swab envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

3. FINGERNAIL SWABS

Collect fingernail swabbings if foreign material is noted under patient’s fingernails, if patient reports scratching the suspect or if requested by the officer. Lightly moisten one (1) swab with sterile distilled water or normal saline, then thoroughly swab the area under the nails of the patient’s RIGHT HAND.

Allow swab(s) to air dry and place in swab box labeled Right Hand Fingernail Swabs. Follow same procedure for LEFT HAND and place swabs in swab box labeled Left Hand Fingernail Swabs. Place both swab boxes in the Fingernail Swabs envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

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4. HAND SWABS

(Collect swabs when history includes stranger assault)

Collect hand swabs if indicated, such as a stranger assault. Lightly moisten one (1) swab with sterile distilled water or normal saline, then thoroughly swab the palm of the patient’s RIGHT HAND. Follow the same pro-cedure with one (1) swab for the patient’s LEFT HAND. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab boxes la-beled Right Hand Swab and Left Hand Swab and place both swab boxes in the Hand Swabs envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 6 PUBIC HAIR COMBINGS (perform if patient has not shaved)

Remove brush and paper towel from Pubic Hair Combings envelope. Unfold paper towel and place under the pubic region of the patient and brush through the entire pubic area to dislodge any foreign hairs or other ma-terial present. Place the brush in the center of the paper towel and wrap around brush in manner to retain brush and any evidence present. Place the wrapped brush in the Pubic Hair Combings envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all in-formation requested on envelope.

STEP 7 ORAL SWABS

(Collect swabs when oral assault is reported IF within 24 hours of assault and history of oral assault is reported)

Using both swabs simultaneously, swab the gums, cheeks, and under the tongue. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab box. Place swab box in the Oral Swabs envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 8 VAGINAL VAULT (See step 9 for male patients)

Use a small amount of KY on the speculum. Using both swabs simultaneously, swab the vaginal vault (vaginal walls, posterior fornix, cervix and cervical os). Allow swabs to air dry and place swabs in swab box.

Place swab box in the Vaginal Vault envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all the information requested on the envelope.

STEP 9 PENILE/SCROTUM SWABS (for male patients)

Lightly moisten both swabs with sterile distilled water or normal saline. Using both swabs simultaneously, thoroughly swab the external surface of the penile shaft, glans, and scrotum avoiding the urethra. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab box. Place swab box in Penile/Scrotum Swabs envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 10 PUBIS TO ANUS SWABS

Using both swabs simultaneously, swab the pubis to anus area. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab box. Place swab box in Pubis to Anus Swabs envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

On the female patient, this swab includes the pubis, the labia majora, between the labia minora, inside the labia minora, the peri-hymenal area, the fossa, and down the perineum and around the anus. In the male patient, this swab includes the pubis, perineum, and around the anus.

STEP 11 ANAL SWABS

(Collect swabs when history includes anal/rectal assault)

Lightly moisten both swabs with sterile distilled water or normal saline. Using both swabs simultaneously, swab inside the anal sphincter. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab box. Place swab box in Anal Swabs envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

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STEP 12 BUCCAL STANDARD

Using both swabs simultaneously, swab the inside of the cheeks. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab box. Place swab box in Buccal Standard envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 13 CONSENSUAL PARTNER STANDARD

Using both swabs simultaneously, swab the inside of the cheeks. Allow swabs to air dry and place in swab box. Place swab box in Consensual Partner Standard envelope, seal with evidence seal provided, initial and date the seal extending across the seal to the envelope and fill out all information requested on envelope.

COLLECTING FROM A PATIENT WITH NO MEMORY OF WHAT HAPPENED DURING ASSAULT

If the patient has no memory or recollection of what happened during the assault, the following items should be collected: fingernail swabs, hand swabs, neck swabs, breast swabs, oral swabs (if <24hrs from assault), peri-oral swabs, vaginal vault swabs, penile/scrotum swabs (male), pubis to anus swabs, and anal swabs.

EVIDENCE NOTES BOX

Please write applicable notes to guide the DNA analysis of the collected swabs. For example, if patient states that there was significant oral contact on neck and minimal oral contact on breasts, write this in the Evidence Notes section. Additionally, evidence notes can be written for law enforcement, such as a patient’s report of condom left at the scene.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

When all specimens have been collected and specimens are air dried:

• Make sure all information requested on all forms, envelopes, and labels has been completed.

• Make sure all evidence envelopes and containers are properly closed and/or sealed.

• With the exception of the Clothing and Underwear bags and blood or urine, place all evidence into the kit.

• Make a photocopy of the Medical Report Form and retain original with the hospital records. Place a copy of the form into the envelope provided and affix the envelope to the outside bottom of the kit box.

• Close the kit box, affix evidence seals, and initial all seals.

• Fill out all information requested on the outside top of the kit.

• Securely store kit, clothing bags, underwear bags, and blood and urine until collected by law enforcement or other designated personnel. DO NOT FREEZE!

• Any other sample taken for testing, i.e. pregnancy, VDRL, etc., should be analyzed in the hospital laboratory.

Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners are in the best position to determine if samples in addition to what is requested by these instructions should be collected and added to the kit. Debris found on the body from an outdoor assault may be important if the patient cannot describe the location of the assault. Pieces of condoms, retained tampons and other types of debris may be important sources of DNA. If a sample is not collected it cannot be analyzed.

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