Sexual assault evidence collection kit usable by a victim
A sexual assault evidence collection kit that may be used by the victim or other non-professionals. The kit may be simplified compared to kits for professional use, and may be usable with no specialized training. Victims may therefore be able to collect evidence themselves after an assault, instead of searching for a facility with personnel trained in forensic evidence collection, and enduring a long, intrusive examination. Embodiments may include a package (for example a clear bag) and the following components inside the package: gloves, swabs, swab containers, water, evidence collection bags, evidence bag sealing tape, evidence collection tape, a permanent marker, and instructions on how to identify, collect, seal, document, and store evidence.
1. A sexual assault evidence collection kit usable by a victim, comprising:
a package configured to contain all items of said sexual assault evidence collection kit, wherein
said package is clear; and
said package comprises a tamper-evident seal;
one or more pairs of sterile nitrile gloves;
a plurality of cotton swabs;
a plurality of air drying swab containers, wherein each swab container of said plurality of air drying swab containers comprises an air channel;
one or more containers that contain sterile water;
a plurality of evidence collection bags;
evidence collection bag sealing tape;
evidence collection tape;
a permanent marker;
evidence collection instructions comprising
instructions on ensuring personal safety;
instructions on photographing evidence;
instruction on types of evidence to consider collecting;
instructions on how to collect each type of evidence;
instructions on how to package and seal collected evidence;
instructions on how to label collected evidence;
instructions on how to store collected evidence; and
instructions on how to document said sexual assault; and,
a report form for reporting said sexual assault;
wherein
said kit is configured to be used by a person without training on performing sexual assault forensic exams; and,
said sexual assault evidence collection kit does not comprise any of
a sheet on which a victim stands, sits, or lies to catch evidence from a victim's body;
a blood collection device;
a urine collection container;
a comb;
tweezers;
a nail pick;
a glass slide.
2. The kit of claim 1 , wherein said package is configured to be rolled into a shape of a scroll, wherein a diameter of said scroll is approximately two inches.
3. The kit of claim 1 , wherein said one or more pairs of sterile nitrile gloves comprise two or more pair of sterile nitrile gloves.
4. The kit of claim 1 , wherein said evidence collection bag sealing tape is tamper-proof or tamper-evident.
5. The kit of claim 1 , wherein said instructions on how to collect each type of evidence comprise a recommended order in which said each type of evidence should be collected.
6. The kit of claim 1 , wherein said instructions on how to collect each type of evidence comprise instructions on how to collect one or more of semen, sweat, blood, saliva, hairs, fibers, skin cells, dried secretions, fingerprints.