Evidence Collection Steps

Evidence Collection (Chapter 5, pg. 40-48)

If it is determined during the medical history that the last sexual contact took place within 72 hours prior to the hospital visit, implement forensic evidence collection procedures. It may be appropriate to collect parts of the prepared New York State Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kit. If a part of the Kit is not utilized, its omission must be explained.

Each item of evidence must be labeled with the initials of everyone who handled it, the date, a description and source of the specimen, the name of the attending health care practitioner and the name of the child. Evidence not included in the Kit (e.g., clothing, photographs) should be labeled with a description of the item, date, initials and who collected it. Document the collection and location of additional evidence not included in the Kit.

Under no circumstance should a victim, parent or guardian, support person or CPS caseworker be allowed to handle or transport evidence afier it has been collected. In the event law enforcement is involved, a law enforcement official should transfer physical evidence from hospitals to crime laboratories for analysis. The transfer of this physical evidence should be documented in the medical record.

To prevent the loss of hairs, fibers or other trace evidence, clothing and other evidence, specimens must be sealed in separate paper bags or cardboard containers, one item per bag. All swabs should be air dried, then placed in a cardboard tube (included in the Kit). If no tube is available, the cotton swabs should be dried and placed in an envelope or paper bag which is labeled and sealed. The bags or containers used must be labeled and numbered to ensure all items of evidence are transferred to the crime laboratory with the Kit. Indicate on the outside of the Kit the number of additional bags collected.

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