Evidence Collection Steps

(Chapter 5, pg. 42-47)

STEP 1 Oral Swabs and Smears — Two swabs are used to collect specimens from the oral cavity, Prepare 2 smears on the glass slide from the swabs. Label the glass slide "oral" to indicate the source of the specimen and place it in the slide holder. Air dry the swabs before placing them in their cardboard tube, seal and label with source. After the swabs have been collected and the mouth examined, offer the patient mouthwash or water.

STEP 2 Trace Evidence — The child should undress over a large paper sheet from the examination table for collection of debris. Carefully fold paper and place it into a paper bag (not provided) and seal the bag. Give the child an examination gown and cover sheet.

STEP 3 Clothing and Underwear or Diaper — If the child has not changed clothing since the sexual contact, it may be appropriate to collect it for evidence. Each item of clothing must be placed in its own paper bag to prevent cross contamination.

STEP 4 Debris Collection — Collect any foreign material found on the child's body and place it in the center of the bindle. Refold the bindle in a manner that retains the debris and return it to the envelope. Seal and fill out the information on the form.

STEP 5 Dried Secretions — Examine the body for evidence of foreign matter, particularly semen and blood. Swabs and smears should be made for each separate deposit found. When secretions or stains are identified, describe the specific location and size of the stain in the medical record. Bite marks (with residual saliva) may be found on victims. Collect saliva from the bite mark area by moistening a swab with distilled water and gently rubbing the affected area. Prepare a slide from the swab, label "bite" and "[location]" on the slide. Air dry both the slide and swab(s). Return to the slide holder, seal and label. Place swab(s) in a cardboard tube, seal and label.

STEP 6 Fingernail Scrapings — The nails should be scraped, one hand at a time, using an orange stick. After all fingers on one hand are done, place the scraper in the center of the bindle and refold to retain debris and scraper. Tape the bindle closed and label to differentiate left and right hand. Repeat the process with the opposite hand, label and place bindles in the envelope and seal. Complete all information on the envelope.

STEP 7 Pulled Head Hair — It is not necessary to subject every victim to his procedure. To collect head hair, use the thumb and forefinger and PULL five hairs each form the center, front, back, left side and right side (for a total of 25 hairs). To minimize patient's discomfort, the health care practitioner can pull two or three at a time or if the child wishes, s/he can perform the procedure. Do not
use forceps. Do not cut hair. Place the pulled head hairs into an envelope, label and seal with tape.

Where there is evidence of semen or other matted material on head hair, it may be collected in the same manner as other dried secretions (see above). The swab should then be placed in a small paper envelope and labeled "possible secretion from head hair." Although this specimen also can be collected by cutting off the matted material, it is important to obtain the child's permission prior to cutting hair.

STEP 8 Pubic Hair Combings — This procedure should only be considered for adolescents with pubic hair. Note the absence of pubic hair in the Kit and medical record. If pubic hair is present, use a comb to collect loose hairs or fibers with a clean sheet of paper underneath to catch debris. Fold the comb and paper together and place in the envelope marked "pubic hair combings." Label and seal with tape.

Where there is evidence of semen or other matted material on pubic hair, it may be collected in the same manner as other dried secretions. The swab should then be placed in a small paper envelope and labeled "possible secretion from pubic hair." Although this specimen also can be collected by cutting off the matted material, it is important to obtain the adolescent's permission prior to cutting hair.

STEP 9 Pulled Pubic Hairs — It is recommended that pubic hair be collected by the combing method only, and that pubic hairs to be used as forensic standards be pulled at a later date only if the prosecution requests these samples, and the adolescent consents to this procedure. A standard sample of no more than 15 pubic hairs should be collected from various areas of the pubic region. Pluck two or three hairs at a time with the thumb and forefinger or, if the adolescent wishes, s/he can perform this procedure. Place the pulled hairs in an envelope, label and seal.

STEP 10a Vaginal Swabs and Smears — To minimize discomfort for the prepubertal child, collect specimens using one swab at a time. Moisten the cotton swabs with distilled water or saline solution. Swab the outer vaginal area being careful not to touch the sensitive hymenal tissue. If possible, collect secretions from the vaginal pool with one or both of the cotton swabs. Dry the swab and place into the cardboard tube labeled "vaginal-DNA." With the second swab, repeat the above procedure then gently role the swab over the glass slide which has been labeled in pencil with the word "vaginal" to indicate the source of the specimen. The slide should not be fixed or stained. After drying, this swab should be placed into the cardboard tube labeled "vaginal."

In the postpubertal victim, the two cotton swabs should be used simultaneously to collect specimens from the endocervical area. If this is not possible, as an alternative, collect specimens from the vaginal vault. Dry the first set of swabs and insert into the cardboard tube labeled "vaginal-DNA." Repeat the collection process and gently roll the swabs over the glass slides which have been labeled "vaginal." The slides should not be fixed or stained. The dried swabs should be placed into the cardboard tube labeled "vaginal."

Immediately following vaginal evidence collection, take specimens for the detection of possible STDs and process through the hospital laboratory. Perform the pelvic exam, if indicated.

STEP 10b Penile Swabs and Smears — External penile specimens are collected to evaluate for oral, vaginal or rectal contact. Slightly moisten two cotton swabs with distilled water or saline solution and thoroughly swab the external surface the penis (shaft and glans) and scrotum. Gently roll the swabs over one of the glass slides which has been labeled in pencil and contains the word "penile" to indicate the source of the specimen. The slide should not be fixed or stained. After the slide has been placed in a slide holder, allow it to air dry before sealing and labeling. When the penile swabs have air dried, place them in a cardboard tube and label with the site of the specimen.

Immediately following penile evidence collection, take specimens for the detection of possible STDs and process through the hospital laboratory.

STEP 11 Anal Swabs and Smears — The anal/rectal smear is prepared by using two cotton swabs to collect secretions from the anal area and rectum. Tominimize discomfort for the child, moisten the swabs with distilled water or saline solution. Slides should be prepared by rolling swabs over a slide that has been labeled "rectal." The slide should be placed in the slide holder, allowed to air dry, sealed and labeled. After the anal swabs have air dried they should be placed into a cardboard tube, sealed and labeled with the word "rectal." Immediately following anal/rectal evidence collection, take specimens for the detection of possible STDs and process through the hospital laboratory. If indicated, the rectal exam can then be performed.

STEP 12 Saliva Sample — A saliva sample is collected by using a filter paper disc. The age and cooperation of the child should be considered before collecting a specimen. To collect a specimen, the child should place the disc in his/her mouth, moistening if for a few seconds only. The specimen should not be collected within 30 minutes of eating, drinking or smoking by the child. The disc must not be removed by anyone other than the child unless a hemostat is used, because contamination with another person's secretions can occur When dry, the disc should be completely inserted into the labeled envelope by the child. Seal the envelope.

STEP 13a Control Blood Tubes — Collect a minimum of 6 milliliters of whole blood. The blood tubes in the Kit may be exchanged for standard hospital pediatric purple top blood tubes. A patient label should then be affixed to each blood tube. Whole blood samples for the Kit should be refrigerated, but not frozen.

Blood needed for other medical tests can be collected at the same time as samples for the Kit. Process specimens for the medical (nonevidentiary) evaluation through the hospital laboratory.

STEP 13b Control Blood Swatch — A dried blood specimen should be collected only when you are not drawing whole blood for forensic purposes or when it is not possible to provide refrigeration, for whole blood specimens. Thoroughly saturate a half dollar size spot on each of the cloth swatches included in the Kit with blood drawn from the patient. Air dry the swatches thoroughly, place in properly labeled envelopes and seal the envelope with tape.

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