Abstract

This guide covers the basic components for the development of a sexual assault investigation protocol, with specific attention to the examination of assault scenes, victims and suspects of sexual assault, the recovery of testimonial, physical, and behavioral evidence, and the preservation and custody of physical evidence. This guide also outlines procedures requiring the experience of experts in a diversity of fields. A multidisciplinary team approach to sexual assault investigation is necessary and is the current standard of care. This team should include members skilled in the following disciplines: law enforcement, criminalistics, victim advocacy, and clinical, forensic practice.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide covers the basic components for the development of a sexual assault investigation protocol, with specific attention to the examination of assault scenes, victims and suspects of sexual assault, the recovery of testimonial, physical, and behavioral evidence, and the preservation and custody of physical evidence.

1.2 This guide outlines procedures requiring the experience of experts in a diversity of fields. A multidisciplinary team approach to sexual assault investigation is necessary and is the current standard of care. This team should include members skilled in the following disciplines: law enforcement, criminalistics, victim advocacy, and clinical, forensic practice.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Technical Experts

E1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents that May Involve Criminal or Civil Litigation

E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator

E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation

E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory

Keywords

criminal investigation; criminalistics; forensic sciences; sexual assault; Criminal investigation; Evidence; Sexual assault investigations; Forensic sexual assault investigation; Physical analysis/characterization--forensic evidence;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 11.020 (Medical sciences and health care facilities in general); 11.100 (Laboratory medicine)

DOI: 10.1520/E1843-96R10

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM E1843