ASTM E2123-16

Standard Practice for Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The procedures put forth in this standard are designed to preserve sexual assault evidence items during collection, storage, and transmittal for analysis at an appropriate laboratory.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the basic considerations that will help preserve different items or types of sexual assault related evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and practices associated with sexual assault examinations that are listed in Section 2.  
1.2 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience and should be used in conjunction with sound professional judgment.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2016
• ICS: 13.310 - Protection against crime
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.11 - Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2123 − 16
Standard Practice for
1
Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2123; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E2057 Specifications for Preparation of LaboratoryAnalysis
Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations
1.1 This practice describes the basic considerations that will
2.2 Other Standards:
help preserve different items or types of sexual assault related
The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Prac-
evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to
tices for Evidence Handlers Ballou, S. M., et al., 2013
be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and
practices associated with sexual assault examinations that are
3. Terminology
listed in Section 2.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these
1.2 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
specifications see Terminology E1732 and the Compilation of
one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace
ASTM Standard Definitions (1990).
knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate
education, training, and experience and should be used in
4. Summary of Practice
conjunction with sound professional judgment.
4.1 Evidence collected from the victim or suspect, other
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
physical evidence from the crime scene, and investigative facts
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and medical conclusions associated with a sexual assault
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
examinationshouldbetreatedinamannerthatwillensuretheir
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
suitable preservation for presentation in legal proceedings.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 All individuals associated with the investigation should
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
be prepared to protect the evidence chain of custody and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
preserve what are often trace amounts of perishable biological
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
materials, and other trace evidence such as hairs, fibers,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
lubricants, and particulate evidence that may not be visible to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the unaided eye.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.3 These standard specifications are to be used in conjunc-
2. Referenced Documents
tion with Guide E1843 and Specification E2057.
2
4.3.1 Additional information can be found in Practice
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1492.
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
Documentation
5. Significance and Use
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
5.1 The procedures put forth in this standard are designed to
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science preserve sexual assault evidence items during collection,
storage, and transmittal for analysis at an appropriate labora-
E1843 Guide for SexualAssault Investigation, Examination,
and Evidence Collection tory.
6. Procedure
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
6.1 Evidence Chain of Custody:
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplin-
6.1.1 The chain of custody in a sexual assault examination
ary Forensic Science Standards.
of a victim is unique in that it may be difficult to control in the
Current edition approved April 1, 2016. Published April 2016. Originally
midst of administering to the needs of an often mobile and
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E2123 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/E2123-16.
traumatized individual.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.1.2 An “investigator” in this usage may be, but is not
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
limited to, an emergency medical practitioner, social worker,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. nurse, physician, or law enforcement officer.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2123 − 16
6.1.2.1 Each “investigator” should ensure that the chain of separately whenever practical and possible, unless trace evi-
custody
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2123 − 10 E2123 − 16
Standard Practice for
1
Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2123; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes the basic considerations that will help preserve different items or types of sexual assault related
evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and practices
associated with sexual assault examinations that are listed in Section 2.
1.2 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace
knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience and should be used in conjunction
with sound professional judgment.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E1843 Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection
E2057 Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations
2.2 Other Standards:
The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers Ballou, S. M., et al., 2013
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these specifications see Terminology E1732 and the Compilation of ASTM
Standard Definitions (1990).
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Evidence collected from the victim or suspect, other physical evidence from the crime scene, and investigative facts and
medical conclusions associated with a sexual assault examination should be treated in a manner that will ensure their suitable
preservation for presentation in legal proceedings.
4.2 All individuals associated with the investigation should be prepared to protect the evidence chain of custody and preserve
what are often trace amounts of perishable biological materials, and other trace evidence such as hairs, fibers, lubricants, and
particulate evidence that may not be visible to the unaided eye.
4.3 These standard specifications are to be used in conjunction with Guide E1843 and Specification E2057.
4.3.1 Additional information can be found in Practice E1492.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The procedures put forth in this standard are designed to preserve sexual assault evidence items during collection, storage,
and transmittal for analysis at an appropriate laboratory.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved June 1, 2010April 1, 2016. Published June 2010April 2016. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20092010 as
E2123 – 09.E2123 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/E2123-10. 10.1520/E2123-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2123 − 16
6. Procedure
6.1 Evidence Chain of Custody:
6.1.1 The chain of custody in a sexual assault examination of a victim is unique in that it may be difficult to control in the midst
of administering to the needs of an often mobile and traumatized individual.
6.1.2 An “investigator” in this usage may be, but is not limited to, an emergency medical practitioner, social worker, nurse,
physician, or law enforcement officer.
6.1.2.1 Each “investigator” should ensure that the chain of custody is continued for the transfer of the evidence to the next
“investigator” in the process.
6.1.
...