ASTM E1843-96

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1843 – 96
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Guide for
Sexual Assault Investigation, Examination, and Evidence
Collection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1843; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Reports of sexual assaults have increased steadily in the United States over the past twenty five
years. Although the reporting rate of these assaults has tripled nationally during this period, research
statistics indicate that sexual assault remains as one of the most under-reported types of crime. These
studies also indicate that the ratio of persons committing sexual assault to the general population is
fairly constant. The rise, therefore, in the reporting rate of sexual assault reflects improvements made
in U.S. society concerning how such reports are investigated and processed in the courts. These
improvements have occurred in the areas of the victims movement and victim advocacy initiatives by
the criminal justice system, improved police education and training, the women’s movement and
gender equality consciousness in society, sexual assault education in the schools and the public sector
generally, and the evaluation of clinical forensic nursing. The articulation of these standards carries
forward the spirit of these improvements so as to serve the cause of justice in society.
Although reports of child sexual abuse have also increased markedly in recent years, these reports
are even more difficult to substantiate than adult reports. Many children are too young to realize that
certain kinds of physical contact by others are inappropriate, and those that do may not be able to
articulate their feelings, or are dependent upon the abuser for care, or both. When children do report
sexual abuse to a third party, it may be dismissed as fantasy or falsehood. Children may be threatened
or convinced that something terrible will happen to them or their families if they report the abuse, or
that they were in some way responsible for it.
Traditionally, the successful prosecution of both adult and child sexual assault cases has been
difficult. The victim often is the only witness to the crime. Consequently, the documentation of
physical injuries and the collection of trace evidence may provide important corroborating evidence.
Meticulous attention to detail in the collection and preservation of evidence combined with an
empathetic concern for the victim, and a respect for the legal and human rights of the suspect is
required. Within the community, this process is known to be facilitated by using trained forensic
examiners in the setting of a multidisciplinary team.
1. Scope istics, victim advocacy, and clinical, forensic practice.
1.1 This guide covers the basic components for the devel-
2. Referenced Documents
opment of a sexual assault investigation protocol, with specific
2.1 ASTM Standards:
attention to the examination of assault scenes, victims and
E 620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Technical Ex-
suspects of sexual assault, the recovery of testimonial, physi-
perts
cal, and behavioral evidence, and the preservation and custody
E 1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents
of physical evidence.
E 1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
1.2 This guide outlines procedures requiring the experience
tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
of experts in a diversity of fields. A multidisciplinary team
E 1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
approach to sexual assault investigation is necessary and is the
Documentation
current standard of care. This team should include members
E 1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
skilled in the following disciplines: law enforcement, criminal-
Retrieving Evidence In a Forensic Science Laboratory
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-30 on Forensic
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1996. Published January 1997. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E 1843
3. General Protocol 3.4.1.3 Body diagrams/illustrations (genital and non-genital
trauma), and
3.1 General Information—Investigators undertaking sexual
3.4.1.4 Photography.
assault investigations must realize that these assaults represent
3.4.2 Spermatozoa/Semen,
significantly underreported serious crimes and that this under-
3.4.3 Clothing,
reporting is due, in significant measure, to the lack of under-
3.4.4 Swabs and Smears,
standing, empathy, and professional competence of investiga-
3.4.5 Bitemarks or other patterned injuries,
tive personnel tasked with investigative responsibilities. The
3.4.6 Hair,
most serious misunderstandings displayed on the part of
3.4.7 Fingernails,
investigators are common misunderstandings of particular
3.4.8 Blood specimens,
categories of victims (enumerated below) and a lack of
3.4.9 Saliva specimens, and
willingness to work with professionals in allied disciplines who
3.4.10 Other physical evidence.
also provide valuable services in this area.
3.5 Laboratory Requests—Laboratory requests should fol-
3.1.1 Sensitivity to victim needs,
low a standard format and include pertinent details of the
3.1.2 The elderly victim,
incident and the individuals involved so as to maximize
3.1.3 The disabled victim,
laboratory capabilities.
3.1.4 The male victim,
3.5.1 Medical history,
3.1.5 The child victim (see Section 4),
3.5.2 Incident particulars, and
3.1.6 The homosexual victim, and
3.5.3 Examination procedures and findings.
3.1.7 The deceased victim.
3.6 Transmittal of Evidence (see Guide E 1459 and Practice
3.2 Initial Law Enforcement Respo
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