ASTM E2123-09
(Practice)Standard Practice for the Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation
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
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Designation:E2123–09
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 4. Summary of Practice
1.1 This practice describes the basic considerations that will 4.1 Evidence collected from the victim or suspect, other
help preserve different items or types of sexual assault related physical evidence from the crime scene, and investigative facts
evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to and medical conclusions associated with a sexual assault
be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and examinationshouldbetreatedinamannerthatwillensuretheir
practices associated with sexual assault examinations that are suitable preservation for presentation in legal proceedings.
listed in Section 2. 4.2 All individuals associated with the investigation should
be prepared to protect the evidence chain of custody and
2. Referenced Documents
preserve what are often trace amounts of perishable biological
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
materials, and other trace evidence such as hairs, fibers, and
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related particulate evidence that may not be visible to the unaided eye.
,
Documentation
4.3 These standard specifications are to be used in conjunc-
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and tion with Guide E1843 and Specification E2057.
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
4.3.1 Additional information can be found in Practice
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science E1492.
E1843 Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examina-
5. Significance and Use
tion, and Evidence Collection
E2057 Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory Analy- 5.1 The procedures put forth in this standard are designed to
3
sis Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations preserve sexual assault evidence items during collection, stor-
age, and transmittal for analysis at an appropriate laboratory.
3. Terminology
6. Procedure
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these
specifications see Terminology E1732 and the Compilation of 6.1 Evidence Chain of Custody:
ASTM Standard Definitions (1990). 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
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
traumatized individual.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally
6.1.2 An “investigator” in this usage may be, but is not
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E2123 – 01. DOI:
limited to, an emergency medical practitioner, social worker,
10.1520/E2123-09.
2 nurse, physician, or law enforcement officer.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 6.1.3 It is the responsibility of each “investigator” of the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
assault to ensure that the chain of custody is continued by the
the ASTM website.
subsequent investigator, evidence transporter, or evidence stor-
3
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
age person.
on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E2123–09
6.1.4 The basic requirements for the labeling and initiating 6.3.2 Each item of evidence should be photographed in its
a chain of custody of evidence items are described in Guide original (found) location and condition before collection. A
E1459.
package of the resulting photographs can accompany the
6.2 Preservation of Evidence:
evidence or be submitted as requested for evaluation of the
6.2.1 All items of physical evidence collected in the inves-
evidence.
tigation should be treated as though they
...
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:E2123–01 Designation: E 2123 – 09
Standard Practice for
1
the Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2123; 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:
E 1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
E 1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E 1843 Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection
E 2057 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 Standard Terminology E 1732 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
suitabilitysuitable preservation for presentation in legal proceedings.
4.2 All individuals associated with the investigation should be prepared to protect the evidence chain of evidence 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 E 1843 and Specification E 2057.
4.3.1 Additional information can be found in Practice E 1492.
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.
6. Procedure
6.1 Evidence Chain of Evidence 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
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 Jan. 10, 2001. Published March 2001.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E2123–01.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 14.02.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 ----------------------
E2123–09
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 E 1459.
6.2 Preservation of Evidence
6.2.1 All items of physical evidence collected in the investigation sho
...
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