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Semen
By: Keely Bushby
Unfortunately sexual assault is very common in the United States. Most commonly a man is the perpetuator and the best evidence used to support a case is semen. Semen contains DNA specific information, which helps investigators link the criminal to the crime. In most sexual assault cases stains are found on bedding, clothing, and rags.
How do you package evidence-containing semen?
First, you need to identify what has been stained. Every material should be packaged separately, this prevents cross-contamination and loss of any evidence. Secondly, if any stains are still wet, they need to air-dry before being packaged. All stains should be marked in case when they dry they are no longer visible. Third, paper should be spread between any materials during the drying process to prevent cross contamination. Semen is best packaged in paper, so use paper bags or envelopes.
What should a rape victim do to preserve the evidence after the incident?
The victim should not bathe, use the restroom, change, brush their hair, or touch anything at the scene. Even if they do not want to report the incident immediately they should follow this policy in case they decide to at a later date. In addition, they should consider doing a rape kit, even if they do not have it analyzed, just in case.
What does a rape kit examination involve?
An examination will be administered by a sexual assault nurse examiner and can take place at a hospital or other medical facility. The average exam takes approximately 3-4 hours. It is important to note that the victim can either accept or decline any part of the examination, before each step the nurse will explain exactly what will happen. If the patient does not what to take part, they are entitled to that option. Aside from a genital exam a full body exam is usually done to document any abuse that may have been involved including bruises, cuts, and broken bones. Samples are usually collected from the fingernails, mouth, vagina, anus, and anything that could have been touched during the assault. The victim must recount any consensual sex with anyone within the previous 5 days so that DNA is not confused. A toxicology kit may be collected in addition to the rape kit if the survivor seems to have been drugged.
What is a Rape Kit?
A rape kit includes everything that is taken as samples from the examination. Each part has directions for collection and all are assigned a number so that nothing will be confused. Each kit has 16 different steps.