The Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit components include:
- SAFE Kit Outer Envelope is a sequentially numbered 10”x 13” expandable envelope. The envelope is pre-sealed with an integrity seal.
- Swabs—Seventeen (17) packages of cotton-tipped 6” sterile wooden swabs. Two swabs per package.
- Body Surface Swab Envelopes—Eleven (11) 3”x 6.5” envelopes with non-gummed closure. Body surface areas include: Perioral, Neck-Left Side, Neck-Right Side, Breast-Left, Breast-Right, External Female Genitalia (e.g., vulva, vestibule), Mons Pubis, Penile, Scrotal, Perianal, and Other. Note: The “Mons Pubis Swabs” will be collected with or without pubic hair. Two swabs will be used, moistened with distilled water and rubbed over the area at the same time. Swabs will be individually labeled.
- DNA Reference Sample Envelope—A 3”x 6.5” envelope with a non-gummed closure. Two oral swabs are collected and placed in the envelope.
- Cavity Swabs Envelopes—Four (4) 3”x 6.5” envelopes with a non-gummed closure. Swabs can be placed directly in the envelope instead of the swab package, because the swabs are dried prior to packaging. Each swab is individually labeled. Collection includes: four (4) vaginal swabs, two (2) cervical swabs, two (2) rectal swabs, and two (2) oral swabs.
- Fingernail Evidence Envelopes
- Right Hand Envelope—A 3”x 6.5” envelope with a non-gummed closure. Each envelope contains one 6” x 6” glassine paper and one package containing two micro tip sterile swabs. Two (2) micro tip swabs moistened with distilled water are used and collected together for each hand. The micro tip swabs are placed in 6” x 6” glassine paper. If the individual has no nails, two (2) micro tip swabs are used for each hand. Note: Clippers to cut nails will no longer be used nor will wooden or plastic devices for scraping under the nails.
- Left Hand Envelope—A 3”x 6.5” envelope with a non-gummed closure. Each envelope contains one 6” x 6” glassine paper and one package containing two (2) micro tip sterile swabs. Two (2) micro tip swabs moistened with distilled water are used and collected together for each hand. The micro tip swabs are placed in 6” x 6” glassine paper. If the individual has no nails, two micro tip swabs are used for each hand. Note: Clippers to cut nails will no longer be used nor will wooden or plastic devices for scraping under the nails.
- Trace/Other Materials Envelope—Two (2) 3”x 6.5” envelopes with non-gummed closures. Each envelope contains one 6” x 6” glassine paper and one package containing two sterile cotton-tipped swabs. Evidence collected can be placed on the glassine paper or swabbed.
- Body Hair Evidence Envelope—A 5”x 7.5” envelope with a non-gummed closure. Inside the Body Hair Evidence Envelope is one 8.5” x 11” paper bindle and one 3” x 5” envelope marked Pubic Hair Brushing containing one soft bristle scrub brush. Matted hair can be clipped and put into the paper bindle. Scissors should be cleaned.
- Underpants Bag—A 5” x 10” bag. Collect underpants and place in the bag.
- Hair Standards Envelope—Two (2) 3”x 6.5” envelope with a non-gummed closure. This collection is optional. Hairs are collected and placed in the 6” x 6” glassine paper included in the envelope.
- Red Evidence Tape Seal—11” long, to be placed over the SAFE Kit outer-envelope flap when collection is completed.
- FDA Insert—Mandatory
Blood Alcohol Toxicology Kit
If alcohol and/or drug ingestion is suspected within 24 hours of the examination, two vacutainers (20cc) of blood are collected.
Blood Toxicology Kit consists of:
- Kit Envelope—6” x 9” sealed with tamper-evidence tape.
- Two, 10ml Blood Collection Tubes (Gray Stoppered)—containing 100mg sodium fluoride and 20mg of potassium oxalate-packed in a double bubble-pack bag.
- Ziplock Bag—One 5” x 7” bag containing one liquid-absorbing sheet
- Specimen Security Seals—Two seals
- Evidence Seal—One seal
- FDA Insert—Mandatory
Urine Alcohol/Toxicology Kit
If consumption of drugs is suspected within 120 hours of the examination, the first available urine specimen is collected. (Approximately 30–60cc)
Plastic Urine Toxicology Container Kit Components:
- Kit Envelope—A 7.5” x 10.5” envelope sealed with tamper-evidence tape.
- Specimen Containers—Two (2) plastic 30ml urine specimen containers containing 300mg of sodium fluoride.
- Ziplock Bag—One 5” x 7” bag containing one liquid-absorbing sheet
- Specimen Container Labels—Two labels
- Evidence Seal—One seal
- FDA Insert—Mandatory
OR
Glass Urine Toxicology Container Kit Components:
- Kit Envelope—One 9” x 12” envelope sealed with tamper-evidence tape.
- Specimen Containers—Two (2) glass 30ml urine specimen containers containing 300mg of sodium fluoride. The cap is PTFE-lined. These containers will be packed inside one protective sleeve with a red tamper-proof tab.
- Ziplock Bag—One 5” x 7” bag containing one liquid-absorbing sheet
- Specimen Container Labels—Two labels
- Evidence Seal—One seal
- FDA Insert—Mandatory
NOTE: Use of plastic or glass urine containers are based on the preference of the local crime laboratory.
This program is supported by funding awarded by the Services*Training*Officers*Prosecutors (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program and the Medical Training Program (MCTO) State General Fund for EM24 03 1503 through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed by this program are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cal OES.