4.5 Creating Sexual Assault Evidence Kits

A Sexual Assault Evidence Kit is a package of materials used to collect samples, which are considered evidence, from a survivor’s or perpetrator’s body by a healthcare provider.

The type of evidence collected depends on what occurred during the assault.

The contents of the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit include cotton-tipped swabs and collection envelopes for biological material, debris and clothing.

Guided by the case history, sexual assault samples should be collected as soon as possible from any survivor seeking care, up to five days post-assault.

Sample collection should be an option for all sexual assault survivors who present for a medical forensic exam, including those who choose not to report.

If the health center does not have a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit available, you or your organization may want to assemble them with locally-available materials.

Once the kits are assembled and given to the health center, they should be treated as any other medical supply.

Consistent, up-to-date inventory of the Sexual Assault Evidence Collections Kits in the health center will help prevent emergency requests for kits.

Due to the increased sensitivity of DNA technologies, masks and gloves should be used by healthcare providers and others who are in close proximity to the evidence.

4.5.1 Materials

4.5.2 Minimum Criteria for Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits

4.5.3 Law Enforcement Responsibilities for Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits

4.5.4 Tracking the Chain of Custody

4.5.5 Forms to Print