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Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Protocol

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NORTH DAKOTA SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION KIT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE PROTOCOL)

THIS KIT IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE EXAMINING PHYSICIAN AND NURSE IN THE COLLECTION OF EVIDENTIARY SPECIMENS FOR ANALYSIS BY THE FORENSIC LABORATORY SERVING YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. 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 COLLECTION AND RELEASE OF EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION FORM
Fill out all information requested on upper section of form and have victim or parent/guardian sign and date where indicated.

STEP 2

SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORT FORM FOR FORENSIC LABORATORY
Fill out all information requested on form and sign where indicated.

STEP 3

FOREIGN MATERIAL, OUTER CLOTHING AND UNDERWEAR COLLECTION

NOTE:
1.Wet or damp clothing should be air dried before packaging.
2.If victim is not wearing the clothing worn at the time of the
   alleged assault, collect only the items that are in direct contact
   with victim’s genital area.
3.If victim has changed clothing after assault, inform officer in
   charge so that the clothing worn at the time of the alleged
   assault can be collected by the police.
4.Do not cut through any existing holes, rips or stains in victim’s
   clothing.
5.Do not shake out victim’s clothing or microscopic evidence will
   be lost.
6.If additional clothing bags are required, use only new paper
   (grocery-type) bags.

Unfold and place a clean hospital bed sheet on floor. Remove paper sheet from Foreign Materials bag, unfold and place over bed sheet. Instruct victim to stand in center of paper sheet and carefully disrobe. Collect each item as removed and place in separate Outer Clothing bag. Collect victim’s underwear and place in Underwear bag. Refold paper sheet on which victim stood in manner to retain any foreign material present and return to Foreign Materials bag. Staple all bags shut and fill out all information requested on bag labels. Return bed sheet to hospital laundry.

STEP 4

DEBRIS COLLECTION

NOTE:
1. If available, it is recommended that a Wood’s (UV) lamp be used in the following procedure.
2. Collect fingernail scrapings if foreign material is noted under victim’s fingernails.
3. COLLECT FINGERNAIL CLIPPINGS ONLY IF FINGERNAIL(S) WERE BROKEN OFF DURING ASSAULT- USE STERILE SCISSORS OR CLIPPERS (NOT PROVIDED IN KIT).

Remove folded paper sheet from Debris Collection envelope. Unfold and place on flat surface. Collect any foreign debris such as dirt, leaves, fiber, hair, etc. and place in center of paper. Then refold paper in manner to retain debris. Foreign debris such as dried semen, blood, saliva, etc. should be collected by lightly moistening the swabs provided with distilled water, then thoroughly swabbing the area with the swabs. Allow swabs to air dry and then return them to their original paper sleeve.

If fingernail scrapings are to be collected, make two folded paper sheets (see folded paper sheet provided for debris collection). Unfold one sheet and place on flat surface. Hold victim’s left hand over paper and using the plastic fingernail scraper provided, scrape under all five fingernails allowing any debris present to fall onto paper. Refold paper to retain debris, then mark folded paper ‘Left Hand". Follow same procedure for right hand, marking folded paper "Right Hand".

Return folded paper sheet(s) and swabs to Debris Collection envelope. Note location from which sample(s) was taken on anatomical drawings on envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 5

PUBIC HAIR COMBINGS (To obtain pubic hairs shed by the assailant during the assault)

Remove paper towel and comb provided in Pubic Hair Combings envelope. Place towel under victim’s buttocks. Using comb provided, comb pubic hair in downward strokes so that any loose hairs and/or debris will fall onto paper towel. Refold towel in manner to retain both comb and any evidence present. Return to Pubic Hair Combings envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 6

PULLED PUBIC HAIRS (See Protocol. For comparison with hairs found at crime scene or on assailant’s body)

NOTE: Hair should be pulled with thumb and forefinger – DO NOT USE HEMOSTAT FOR PULLING HAIRS. The victim, if able, may accomplish this.

Remove folded paper sheet from Pulled Pubic Hairs envelope, unfold and place on flat surface. Pull, do not cut, 10 to 15 full-length pubic hairs from various locations and place in center of sheet. Refold in manner to retain hairs and return folded paper sheet to Pulled Pubic Hairs envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 7 VAGINAL SWABS AND SMEARS (Collect only if vaginal assault occurred)

NOTE:
1. Do not stain or chemically fix smears. Do not moisten swabs prior to sample collection.
2. If victim is male, moisten two of the four swabs provided with distilled water and swab shaft and glans. Allow swabs to air dry and then place in swab box and mark box accordingly. Do not prepare smears.

Remove all components from envelope. Using two swabs simultaneously, carefully swab the vaginal vault, then put used swabs aside to air dry.

Using the two additional swabs provided, repeat the swabbing procedure. Then prepare two smears on the slides provided. Allow swabs (4) and smears (2) to air dry. Return smears to slide holder and place the swabs in the swab boxes. Check off "DNA (Vaginal)" on the swab box containing the first two swabs collected and "Vaginal" on the other swab box. Return smears and swabs to Vaginal Swabs and Smears envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 8

ORAL/RECTAL SWABS (Collect oral swabs only if oral assault occurred-Coned rectal swabs only if rectal assault occurred)

Using two swabs, carefully swab the rectal canal. Allow both swabs to air dry and return to the swab box, then check off "Rectal" on swab box. Using two swabs, carefully swab the buccal area and gum
line. Allow the swabs to air dry and return to the swab box, then check off "Oral" on swab box. Return swab box(es) to envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 9

PULLED HEAD HAIRS (For comparison with hairs found at crime scene or on assailants body)

NOTE:
Hairs should be pulled with thumb and forefinger – DO NOT USE HEMOSTAT FOR PULLING HAIRS.

Remove folded paper sheet from Pulled Head Hairs envelope, unfold and place on flat surface. Pull, do not cut, a minimum of three full-length hairs from each of the following scalp locations: center, front, back, left side and right side. Place in center of the folded paper sheet and refold in manner to retain the hairs. Return to envelope, seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 10 KNOWN SALIVA SAMPLE (Collect in all cases – to determine if victim is a secretor

NOTE:
The victim should not have anything to drink, eat or smoke for a minimum of 15 minutes prior to saliva sample collection.

Remove filter paper disk from Known Saliva Sample envelope. Do not touch inner circle. Place folded paper in victim’s mouth and instruct victim to thoroughly saturate inner circle with saliva. Allow sample to air dry. Without touching inner circle, return disk to Known Saliva Sample envelope, seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.

STEP 11

KNOWN BLOOD SAMPLES (For blood typing and DNA workup)

Using the sterile, fixed depth lancet provided, prick the victim’s finger. While holding the victim’s finger over one of the four circles printed on the FTA Blood Collection Paper, milk the victim’s finger allowing two drops of blood to fall on the card, within the circle. Repeat this procedure using the three remaining circles.

STEP 12

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF VICTIM (Anatomical Drawings)

Using the appropriate anatomical drawing, indicate all signs of physical trauma – e.g., bruises, scratches, marks, discolorations (size and color) or bite marks on any part of the victim’s body.

STEP 13

VICTIM INFORMATION FORM

Fill out all information requested on form.

Final Instructions

1. Make sure all information requested on all forms, envelopes and
    bag labels has been filled out completely.
2.Separate forms (Steps 1, 2 and 13).
3.Return white copies of Forms 1 and 2 to kit box. Give victim or
    parent/guardian white copy of Step 13. Retain pink copies of Forms
    1, 2 and 13 for hospital records.
4.With the exception of sealed and labeled Underwear and Outer
    Clothing bags, return all other evidence collection envelopes, used
    or unused, to kit box.

NOTE:
Any specimens collected for hospital use should not be placed in kit, but should be sent to the hospital laboratory for analysis.

5) Affix biohazard seal to box top, then initial and affix red police
    evidence seals where indicated on box.
6) Fill out all information requested on kit box top under "For Hospital
    Personnel".
7) Hand sealed kit and sealed bags to investigating officer and have
    officer fill out all information requested on the Receipt of Information
    section on the bottom half of Step 1 form on Hospital Copy.

NOTE:
If officer is not present at this time, place sealed kit and sealed bags insecure and refrigerated area, and hold for pick up by investigating officer.