ASTM E2123-10

Standard Practice for the Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2010
• ICS: 13.310 - Protection against crime
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2123-09 - Standard Practice for the Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E2124-20 - Standard Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual Violence Investigations
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E1843-20 - Standard Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection Protocol
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 − 10
StandardPractice 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 materials, and other trace evidence such as hairs, fibers, and
particulate evidence that may not be visible to the unaided eye.
1.1 This practice describes the basic considerations that will
help preserve different items or types of sexual assault related 4.3 These standard specifications are to be used in conjunc-
evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to tion with Guide E1843 and Specification E2057.
be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and 4.3.1 Additional information can be found in Practice
practices associated with sexual assault examinations that are E1492.
listed in Section 2.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The procedures put forth in this standard are designed to
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
preserve sexual assault evidence items during collection,
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
storage, and transmittal for analysis at an appropriate labora-
Documentation
tory.
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
6. Procedure
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
6.1 Evidence Chain of Custody:
E1843 Guide for SexualAssault Investigation, Examination,
6.1.1 The chain of custody in a sexual assault examination
and Evidence Collection
of a victim is unique in that it may be difficult to control in the
E2057 Specifications for Preparation of LaboratoryAnalysis
midst of administering to the needs of an often mobile and
Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations
traumatized individual.
6.1.2 An “investigator” in this usage may be, but is not
3. Terminology
limited to, an emergency medical practitioner, social worker,
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these
nurse, physician, or law enforcement officer.
specifications see Terminology E1732 and the Compilation of
6.1.3 It is the responsibility of each “investigator” of the
ASTM Standard Definitions (1990).
assault to ensure that the chain of custody is continued by the
subsequent investigator, evidence transporter, or evidence stor-
4. Summary of Practice
age person.
4.1 Evidence collected from the victim or suspect, other
6.1.4 The basic requirements for the labeling and initiating
physical evidence from the crime scene, and investigative facts
a chain of custody of evidence items are described in Guide
and medical conclusions associated with a sexual assault E1459.
examinationshouldbetreatedinamannerthatwillensuretheir
6.2 Preservation of Evidence:
suitable preservation for presentation in legal proceedings.
6.2.1 All items of physical evidence collected in the inves-
4.2 All individuals associated with the investigation should
tigation should be treated as though they are, or may contain,
be prepared to protect the evidence chain of custody and perishable biological materials until they can be examined by
preserve what are often trace amounts of perishable biological
an appropriate forensic laboratory.
6.2.2 Liquid blood samples should be collected and trans-
ported as required by the examining forensic laboratory. Dried
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
stains may be transported at room temperature.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
6.2.2.1 In some cases, more than one blood sample may be
Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally
required from an individual for a combination of serological
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2123 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/E2123-10.
(including DNA) and toxicological testing. The preservative or
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
anticoagulant required in each sample may be different and the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
analyzing laboratory’s requirements for each sample should be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. followed.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E2123 − 10
6.2.3 Blood and urine obtained for toxicological examina- over on itself to prevent materials from being transferred to the
tion, and other items which must remain in
...

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:E2123–09 Designation: E2123 – 10
Standard Practice for
1
the 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.
INTRODUCTION
The meaningful analysis of physical evidence recovered in sexual assault investigations requires
careful attention to the control and preservation of easily lost trace evidence and easily damaged or
degraded biological materials. Not all items of evidence can be preserved in the same manner if the
best results are to be achieved during subsequent analysis by the examining forensic laboratory.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes the basic considerations that will help preserve different items or types of sexual assault related
evidenceforsubsequentanalysis.Thispracticeisdesignedtobeusedinconjunctionwithotherspecifications,guides,andpractices
associated with sexual assault examinations that are listed in Section 2.
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
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, 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 Aug. 15, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E2123–01. DOI:
10.1520/E2123-09.
Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2123 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/E2123-10.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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 – 10
6. Procedure
6.1 Evidence Chain of Custody: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.
6.1.3 It is the responsibility of each “investigator” of the assault to ensure that the chain of custody is continued by the
subsequent investigator, evidence transporter, or evidence storage person.
6.1.4 The basic requirements for the labeling and initiating a chain of custody of evidence items are described in Guide E1459.
6.2 Preservation of Evid
...