Standardized kits

Work to standardize sexual assault evidence collection kits within a jurisdiction and preferably across a State or Territory, or for Federal cases.[1]  A designated agency in the jurisdiction should be responsible for oversight of kit development and distribution.[2] It should: 
  • Ensure that any facility that conducts sexual assault medical forensic exams is involved in kit development and supplied with kits;[3] 
  • Work with relevant agencies (e.g., crime labs, law enforcement agencies, exam facilities and examiner programs, advocacy programs, and prosecutors’ offices) to keep abreast of related changes in technology, scientific advances, and cutting-edge practice;
  • Review periodically (e.g., every 2 to 3 years) kit efficiency and usefulness; 
  • Make adjustments to the kit as necessary; and
  • Establish mechanisms to ensure that kits at exam facilities are kept up to date (e.g., if a new evidence collection procedure is added, facilities need to know what additional supplies should be readily available).
(See B.6. Evidence Integrity for handling and storage of kits.)

[1] It may be useful to consider developing a standardized kit across all communities, States, and Territories, and for Federal cases. Further analysis is needed to assess the benefits and disadvantages of such a kit and the feasibility of development and implementation. Some challenges could include building consensus across communities regarding best practices and obtaining buy-in from involved agencies.
[2] It is important to consider costs to the State/Territory/Tribe/Federal agencies and local community, and ability of local communities to cover costs. In some States, one State agency (e.g., the crime laboratory) assumes the costs. In others, the costs are passed onto local criminal justice agencies. 
[3]As a backup to having kits readily available at exam sites or with examiner programs, jurisdictions may also want to discuss the feasibility of storing a few kits at local law enforcement agencies or in law enforcement patrol cars. Before storing kits in patrol cars, however, make sure that the temperatures the kit will be exposed to will not affect kit contents. 


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