Slide 1. Slide 2. Slide 3 EVIDENCE COLLECTION. Evidence Collection 101. Physical Evidence

Transcription

1 Slide 1 EVIDENCE COLLECTION YWCA - Oklahoma City Created by Shannon Liew, RN, BSN, SANE-A Slide 2 Evidence Collection 101 Two crime scenes in sexual assault cases: Place of the assault Patient s body The role of the SANE is to preserve and collect evidence from patient Evidence collected from patient s body: Clothes, hair, fingernails, skin, condoms, feminine hygiene products, sheets, vaginal secretions, saliva Types of evidence: Physical evidence Physical injury Foreign materials Biological evidence = DNA *Keeping in mind the history of the assault Slide 3 Physical Evidence Keep in mind, the SANE is building a picture of the crime scene for law enforcement and the jury Victim Physical Evidence Scene Suspect SANE also collect evidence to indicate if force was involved

2 Slide 4 Biological Evidence DNA can be isolated from any specimen that contains cell nuclei Types of biological evidence: Semen Blood Vaginal secretions Saliva - from kissing, sucking, biting, licking Epithelial cells - skin to skin contact Sweat and/or other secretions Principles regarding transfer of DNA: Locard Principle: whenever two objects come into contact, there is always a transfer of material Direct transfer vs. indirect transfer Slide 5 DNA Evidence Possible Location of DNA Evidence Bite mark or area licked, kissed, sucked Fingernail scrapings Vaginal secretions Condom Bed linens Clothing Tissue, washcloth Source of DNA Saliva Blood, skin cells Semen, saliva, skin cells Semen, saliva, skin cells Semen, sweat, hair, saliva Hair, semen, blood, sweat Saliva, semen, hair, skin cells Slide 6 Foreign Material Debris can connect patient to crime scene or if crime unknown can help identify Types of foreign materials: Fibers Hair human or animal Paint Soil or sand or gravel Grass or other vegetation Glass Other debris

3 Slide 7 Use of Alternative Light Source Used during exam: Scan patient s body for dried or moist secretions, stains, fluorescent fibers, or foreign material not readily visible in white light Biological evidence that may fluoresce: Blood, semen, saliva, urine, lubricant, fibers from clothing or debris Use UV light (Wood s Lamp) or blue light Done in darkened room *Patient s history of assault should be primary tool Slide 8 Alternative Light Source (Carter-Snell & Soltys, 2005) Slide 9 Alternative Light Source (Carter-Snell & Soltys, 2005)

4 Slide 10 Alternative Light Source Patient s body using regular light Slide 11 Alternative Light Source Slide 12 Alternative Light Source Regular light source Alternative light source

5 Slide 13 General Rules for Evidence Collection There is only one chance to collect: When in doubt, collect it Air dry all samples, do not use heat: Heat degrades DNA Air dry for at least one hour If a swab dryer is available, dry for at least 30 minutes in swab dryer If once living, like blood and body fluids, needs to be refrigerated Do not use plastic, use paper or glass only: plastic causes mold Separate items that are collected Slide 14 General Rules for Evidence Collection Once the SA kit is opened, the SANE cannot leave the specimens to maintain chain-of-custody Every piece of evidence collected must be labeled with the patient s name, case number, date, SANE s name Seal everything with tape: Staples are not sufficient Label, seal, and initial everything to maintain chain-of-custody SANE should follow the policy and procedures of the individual program she/he is practicing when collecting evidence Use the SA kit as a guide Slide 15 How Not to Contaminate the Evidence Make sure you start with a clean room when in doubt wipe it out Frequent hand washing gloves don t take the place of hand washing Wear gloves throughout the exam, change between sites/samples collected to avoid cross-contamination Thoroughly clean exam room and evidence processing areas Package unlike samples separately Avoid contamination during drying of samples Do not lick envelopes If you drop it can you say, Bye-bye?

6 Slide 16 Clothing Evidence Collect clothing worn during the assault Shoes, coat, belts only needed if pertinent If the patient has not changed clothing: COLLECT AN EXAM MAT!!!! Ask patient to undress one article of clothing at a time Collect each article and place in separate paper bags Have patient stand over an exam mat while undressing to prevent loss of evidence (blue pads make good exam mats) Collect exam mat by folding in a bindle and place in a separate paper bag Label each bag with what article of clothing is contained within If patient has changed clothes and brings clothing to exam, collect it (document that clothing brought to exam by patient) If patient has changed clothes, still collect underwear worn at time of exam Slide 17 Clothing Evidence Document stains/tears in clothing in writing If clothing torn or significant stain present Photograph first prior to removing and collecting Slide 18 Debris Collection Collect any debris found on patient s body If significant, photograph debris prior to collection Collect using a swab to pick up or your finger (get new gloves prior) Do not use forceps/tweezers Place each item collected in a separate bindle and place in appropriate envelope (including glass, bullets, hair, fibers, etc ) Label where debris found on body and description of debris Note debris on traumagram/body map

7 Slide 19 Bindle Piece of paper folded in thirds And folded in thirds again Write what is collected on outside of bindle Slide 20 Oral Cavity Evidence Collection Differs by forensic lab/sa kit Oral swabs: evidence collection for oral sodomy Swab oral cavity of patient, concentrate on area between cheek and gums and around teeth, particularly behind incisors and front molars If tongue ring present, swab around base Allow swabs to dry Place in appropriate envelope, seal and label If oral wash present: collect between oral and buccal (reference) swabs Ask patient to vigorously swish 1-2ml of sterile water in mouth Spit water into sterile plastic container, like a pill cup Pour water into sterile oral wash tube Seal and label oral wash tube Slide 21 Buccal Swabs Buccal swabs: usually used as reference DNA for patient Swab oral cavity of patient, concentrate on cheeks Allow swabs to dry Place in appropriate envelope, seal and label

8 Slide 22 Vaginal Evidence Collection Only needed if vaginal penetration during sexual assault Swab external genitalia first if needed, e.g. if oral penetration Perform speculum exam, identify any injury present Using two swabs, swab posterior fornix of vagina If present, prepare vaginal smear slide using two swabs Label with V Allow swabs and smear to dry Label and seal smear slide container, place in appropriate envelope Place swabs in appropriate envelope, label and seal Repeat above steps for cervical swabs, omitting steps for smear slide Insert one swab at a time into cervical os Slide 23 Vaginal Evidence Collection If vaginal wash/aspirate present in SA kit Collect after collection of all vaginal swabs Aspirate the posterior fornix of vagina using 1-2ml of sterile water Withdraw fluid with disposable transfer pipette Place fluid in sterile vaginal wash tube Seal and label tube Slide 24 Penile Evidence Collection Needed on all male patients that report any penile contact with perpetrator Needed on all male perpetrators Moisten two swabs with sterile water Swab exterior of penile shaft and glans and all other areas where contact occurred Allow swabs to dry Place in appropriate envelope, label and seal

9 Slide 25 Anal Evidence Collection Not necessary unless anal penetration reported May collect swab of external anus if no anal penetration reported in an attempt to get vaginal secretions with perpetrator DNA Using two swabs, swab anal canal Ask patient to bear down like having a bowel movement Place inside so that entire cotton tip is within Move in circular motion and withdraw May use knee-chest position to help facilitate collection If slide smear needed, roll swabs on glass slide Label with A Allow swabs and smear to dry Place in appropriate envelope, label and seal Slide 26 Hair Evidence Collection This varies by forensic lab/sa kit Reference head hair (pulled) Not needed for OCPD, but OSBI still wants Remove paper bindle, unfold and place on flat surface Pull a minimum of five strands of hair from center, front, back, left, right side of head = 40 hairs Do not use tweezers. Pull with gloved fingers or ask patient to pull Refold bindle and place in appropriate envelope Label and seal Repeat steps if reference pubic hair (pulled) needed = 25 hairs Slide 27 Hair Evidence Collection Head hair combings: Varies on forensic lab/sa kit Remove paper bindle and comb Unfold paper bindle Comb head hair so that any loose hair/debris falls into bindle Place comb in center of bindle if possible Refold bindle and place bindle and comb in appropriate envelope Label and seal Repeat steps if pubic hair combings needed Some programs state only needed if debris/secretions noted in pubic hair

10 Slide 28 Blood Evidence Collection Only needed if possible DFSA Use OSBI DFSA or DUI kit, collect using all blood tubes Follow directions to seal kit Slide 29 Fingernail Evidence Collection Fingernail scrapings/swabs: Only collect if patient states that she/he scratched perpetrator, if there was a struggle during assault or a broken nail is noted Use items in kit OSBI = fingernail scrapings Remove two specimen envelopes (right hand, left hand) Place bindle under patient s hand on flat surface Scrap nails while holding nails over bindle so that debris falls into bindle Place scraper in center of bindle and refold Place in appropriate envelope, seal and label Repeat steps for other hand Slide 30 Fingernail Evidence Collection OCPD = fingernail swabs Moisten one swab Swab under each fingernail Using a dry swab, swab under each fingernail Repeat with other hand Allow swabs to dry Place in appropriate envelope, label and seal Fingernail clippings If patient broke a fingernail during the assault, clipping of the nail should be taken, preserving the broken side as much as possible

11 Slide 31 Miscellaneous Evidence Collection The good stuff about being SANE trained!!!! Includes swabbing any area that glows under the alternative light source, where blood noted, where dried secretions noted, where perpetrator s saliva could be found, etc Also includes all bite marks Swab entire bite mark, concentrating on center If specimen collected from a dry surface, use double swab technique Slide 32 Miscellaneous Evidence Collection Swab all orifices if patient cannot recall assault Slide 33 Miscellaneous Evidence Collection Use the double-swab technique: Moisten two sterile swabs with sterile water Roll gently over area on patient s body (if too much pressure applied with get patient s DNA) Repeat with two dry swabs Allow swabs to dry Place in appropriate envelope, label with where specimen collected and seal Can place all 4 swabs collected from same area in same envelope Differentiate dry vs. wet swabs Note where specimen collected on traumagram/body map

12 Slide 34 Collect if significant: Jewelry Collection Broken during assault (photograph as well) Perpetrator came in contact with during assault Placed in mouth, used as a strangulation ligature, etc Always ask for patient consent prior to collecting Place in a cup or envelope, label and seal Slide 35 Collection of Knots If knot still intact and present on patient: NEVER UNTIE KNOT Tie strings in two locations on opposite end of knot Cut in between two strings, leaving the knot intact Take pictures of your actions throughout process Place in a cup or envelope, label and seal Slide 36 Do not write or mark the bullet Collection of Bullets Wrap in gauze and place in cup or envelope Mark container with description of item, from whom, location, who removed, date/time removed Label and seal, give to law enforcement

13 Slide 37 Questions? No one should have to live with a monster.