ASTM E2124-01

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Designation: E 2124 – 01
Standard Practice for
the Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual
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Assault Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2124; 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.
1. Scope 4.1.2 Colposcope—The colposcope is used to magnify and
provide increased visibility, especially in the vaginal area
1.1 These specifications describe the basic instruments used
where structures include many folds and grooves of tissue.The
for the medical-legal examination of victims and/or suspects in
examiner must deliberately examine each structure to deter-
sexual assault investigations. These specifications are designed
mine the presence or absence of injury and/or foreign material.
to be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and
The use of colposcopy has been shown to be critical in both
practices associated with sexual assault examinations that are
pediatric and adult sexual assault examinations.
listed in Section 2.
4.1.2.1 There are several varieties of colposcopes manufac-
2. Referenced Documents
tured and each program should review numerous types to
ascertain the best instrument for their facility in view of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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existing equipment and physical layout of the examination
E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
environment.
E 1843 Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examina-
2
4.1.2.2 The colposcope should have photographic capabil-
tion, and Evidence Collection
ity, either with a 35mm camera attached or with video
E 2057 Specification for the Preparation of Laboratory
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photography and print capacity.
Analysis Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations
4.1.2.2.1 Appropriate film and/or other supplies necessary
E 2123 Practice for the Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual
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for the type of photographic instrument must also be main-
Assault Investigations
tained.
3. Summary of Practice
4.1.2.2.2 A good 35mm camera is considered the standard
in this area, although larger negative format cameras may be
3.1 These specifications outline considerations when choos-
used.
ing equipment to be used in the medical-legal examination of
4.1.2.2.3 Cameras incapable of close-up photography, dis-
sexual assaults. The types of equipment listed should be
posable cameras, and/or cameras that produce “instant” pho-
included in any examination facility. Considerations for choos-
tographs are generally not of sufficient quality to warrant
ing a variation or optional equipment are also given.
consideration.
4. Instrumentation and Supplies
4.1.3 Alternate Light Sources—Alternate light sources as-
sist in the location, documentation and collection of dried
4.1 The following instrumentation should be available at
stains, foreign debris, and subclinical bruising. The ultraviolet
examining facilities where sexual assault cases are received:
light (Wood’s lamp) is most often used and is considered basic
4.1.1 Speculum—The speculum is used to view the vaginal
equipment in a sexual assault physical examination.
walls and cervix. Clear plastic disposable specula are preferred
4.1.3.1 Recently, alternate light sources specifically de-
because they allow the examiner to see through them and
signed for use in criminal investigation activities have been
visualize the vaginal walls. Metal specula do not allow this
developed and have the capability of illuminating surfaces
visibility and also may reflect light when taking photographs.
under variable wavelength settings which can help in locating
Speculum illuminators which attach to the handle should be
a greater variety of stains and are valuable in locating subclini-
considered as an aid (as they assist) in visualizing the vaginal
cal bruising and establishing patterns of injury.
walls and cervical area.
4.1.4 Anoscope—When the examiner needs more than an
external examination of the anorectal area, a clear plastic
disposable anoscope should be available.
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
4.1.5 OtoscopeandOpthalmoscope—These instruments are
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
useful to determine whether injury to the ear(s) and/or eye(s)
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2001. Published March 2001.
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have occurred.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
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E 2124
4.1.5.1 Disposable shields should be used to prevent cross- 4.2.1 A list of medica
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