Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
The Examination Process > Exam and Evidence Collection Procedures > Medical specimens separate from forensic specimins
Exam and Evidence Collection Procedures
Keep medical specimens separate from forensic specimens obtained during the exam. Specimens collected for medical purposes should be kept and processed at the medical facility, and specimens collected for forensic analysis should be transferred to the crime laboratory or other specified laboratories for analysis (with patients’ consent). It is not necessary to maintain the chain of custody on medical specimens—instead, follow exam facility policy for documenting medical care and storing medical records.
- Goals of the Protocol
- Recommendations at a Glance
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Overarching Issues
- Coordinated Team Approach
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Victim-Centered Care
- Patient priorty as an emergency case
- Patient privacy
- Exam adapted to patients' needs and circumstances
- Issues commonly faced by patients from specific populations
- Importance of victim services within the exam process
- Importance of personal support persons in the exam room
- Requests for a responder of a specific gender
- Explanation of procedures during the exam process
- Integration of medical and forensic exam procedures
- Patient safety during the exam process
- Information patients can review at their conveniance
- Physical comfort needs of patients
- Informed Consent
- Confidentiality
- Reporting to Law Enforcement
- Payment for the Examination under VAWA
- Operational Issues
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The Examination Process
- Initial Contact
- Triage and Intake
- Documentation by Health Care Personnel
- The Medical Forensic History
- Photography
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Exam and Evidence Collection Procedures
- Forensic purpose of the exam
- Collecting as much evidence as possible
- Issues related to consent to sexual contact
- Testing of biological evidence
- Exposure to infectious materials and evidence contamination
- Importance of semen evidence
- Addressing patient needs' and concerns
- Explanation of exam and evidence collection procedures
- Conducting the exam and documenting findings
- Evidence to submit to the crime lab for analysis
- Other evidence
- Medical specimens separate from forensic specimins
- Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
- STI Evaluation and Care
- Pregnancy Risk Evaluation and Care
- Discharge and Followup
- Examiner Court Appearances
- Appendix A. Developing Customized Protocols: Considerations for Jurisdictions
- Appendix B. Creation of Sexual Assault Response Teams
- Bibliography
- Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Technical Assistance Web Site
