ASTM E2123-20

Standard Practice for Preservation of Evidence in Sexual Violence Investigation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The procedures put forth in this standard are designed to preserve sexual violence 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 violence related evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and practices associated with sexual violence examinations that are listed in Section 2.  
1.2 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through education, training, and experience (see Practice E2917, Education and Training) and is to be used in conjunction with professional judgement by individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2020
• ICS: 13.310 - Protection against crime
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.11 - Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E2917-24 - Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E1732-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E2057-23 - Standard Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual Violence Investigations
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Refers: ASTM E2917-19 - Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2019
• Refers: ASTM E1732-19 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM E1732-18b - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1732-18a - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1732-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 15-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1732-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM E1459-13 - Standard Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2013
• Refers: ASTM E1732-12 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM E1732-11a - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1732-11b - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1732-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1492-11 - Standard Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011

Overview

ASTM E2123-20: Standard Practice for Preservation of Evidence in Sexual Violence Investigation provides crucial guidelines for the preservation of evidence resulting from sexual violence investigations. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures the integrity of evidence from the point of collection through storage and transmittal for forensic analysis. It is designed to be used in conjunction with other relevant ASTM standards and guides, supporting compliance with international best practices for evidentiary handling in sensitive cases.

Key Topics

• Evidence Preservation Protocols: Outlines steps to handle biological and physical evidence such as bodily fluids, clothing, bedding, and other items pertinent to sexual violence investigations.
• Chain of Custody: Details responsibilities for documenting and protecting the chain of custody to maintain evidentiary integrity in legal proceedings.
• Packaging and Labeling: Provides guidance on proper methods for packaging, sealing, and labeling evidence, including biohazard indications where necessary.
• Storage Requirements: Presents preferred storage conditions for biological samples, emphasizing room temperature air-drying, refrigeration, and appropriate container selection.
• Specimen Handling: Discusses procedures for collecting, transporting, and preserving samples such as blood, urine, and other body fluids, in compliance with laboratory protocols.
• Separation of Evidence: Stresses the importance of packaging items from separate locations individually to avoid cross-contamination.
• Professional Judgment: Acknowledges the need for evidence handlers to combine standard protocols with professional expertise gained through education and training.

Applications

ASTM E2123-20 is applicable to a broad range of professionals involved in sexual violence investigations, including:

• Forensic nurses, physicians, and medical examiners
• Law enforcement officers and social workers
• Forensic laboratory personnel
• Legal professionals managing the presentation of biological evidence

This standard provides practical value by:

• Helping ensure evidence integrity for forensic laboratories and court proceedings
• Supporting accurate chain of custody documentation to withstand legal scrutiny
• Minimizing the risk of contamination, loss, or degradation of perishable biological evidence
• Facilitating compliance with national and international protocols for evidence preservation

By following ASTM E2123-20, organizations can enhance the quality and reliability of their evidence management in sexual violence cases, leading to improved investigative and judicial outcomes.

Related Standards

To ensure comprehensive adherence to best practices, ASTM E2123-20 should be used in conjunction with related ASTM standards and guidelines, including:

• ASTM E1459: Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
• ASTM E1492: Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
• ASTM E1732: Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• ASTM E1843: Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection Protocol
• ASTM E2057: Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations
• ASTM E2124: Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual Violence Investigations
• ASTM E2917: Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development

These standards collectively establish a framework for the handling, preservation, and transmittal of evidence to support effective sexual violence investigations.

---

Keywords: ASTM E2123-20, sexual violence evidence preservation, forensic chain of custody, biological evidence storage, evidence labeling, forensic protocols, evidence packaging, forensic standards

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2123 − 20 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Preservation of Evidence in Sexual Violence 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
E2124 Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual
help preserve different items or types of sexual violence related
Violence Investigations
evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training,
be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and
Continuing Education, and Professional Development
practices associated with sexual violence examinations that are
Programs
listed in Section 2.
1.2 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or
3. Terminology
abilities acquired through education, training, and experience
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
(see Practice E2917, Education and Training) and is to be used
practice, see Terminology E1732 and the Compilation of
inconjunctionwithprofessionaljudgementbyindividualswith
ASTM Standard Definitions.
such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4. Summary of Practice
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Treat evidence collected from the victim or suspect,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
otherphysicalevidencefromthecrimescene,andinvestigative
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
facts and medical conclusions associated with a sexual vio-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
lence examination in a manner that will ensure their suitable
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
preservation for presentation in legal proceedings.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.2 All individuals associated with the investigation shall be
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
prepared to protect the evidence chain of custody and preserve
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
whatareoftentraceamountsofperishablebiologicalmaterials,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and other trace evidence such as hairs, fibers, lubricants, and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
particulate evidence that may not be visible to the unaided eye.
2. Referenced Documents
4.3 This practice is to be used in conjunction with Guide
E1843 and Specifications E2057 and E2124.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.3.1 Additional information can be found in Practice
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
E1492.
Documentation
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
5. Significance and Use
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
5.1 The procedures put forth in this standard are designed to
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E1843 Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation, preserve sexual violence evidence items during collection,
storage, and transmittal for analysis at an appropriate labora-
Examination, and Evidence Collection Protocol
tory.
6. Procedure
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplin-
6.1 Evidence Chain of Custody:
ary Forensic Science Standards.
6.1.1 The chain of custody in a sexual violence examination
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. Originally
of a victim or suspect is unique due to the needs of an often
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E2123 – 16. DOI:
10.1520/E2123-20.
mobile and traumatized individual.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.1.2 An “examiner” or “investigator” in this usage can be,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
but is not limited to, an emergency medical practitioner, social
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. worker, nurse, physician, or law enforcement officer.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2123 − 20
6.1.2.1 Each “examiner” or “investigator” shall ensure that 6.2.5 Labelcontainersholdingbiologicalsamplesandstains
the chain of custody is continued for the tran
...

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 − 16 E2123 − 20
Standard Practice for
TransmittalPreservation of Evidence in Sexual
AssaultViolence 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 assaultviolence related
evidence for subsequent analysis. This practice is designed to be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and practices
associated with sexual assaultviolence 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,skills, or abilityabilities acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience (see Practice E2917and
should , Education and Training) and is to be used in conjunction with sound professional judgment.professional judgement by
individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
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 Violence Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection Protocol
E2057 Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations
E2124 Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual Violence Investigations
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs
2.2 Other Standards:
The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers Ballou, S. M., et al., 2013
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplinary
Forensic Science Standards.
Current edition approved April 1, 2016Sept. 1, 2020. Published April 2016November 2020. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
E2123 – 10.E2123 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E2123-16.10.1520/E2123-20.
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’sstandard’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
E2123 − 20
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these specificationsthis practice, see Terminology E1732 and the Compilation of
ASTM Standard Definitions (1990).Definitions.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Evidence Treat 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 violence examination in a manner
that will ensure their suitable preservation for presentation in legal proceedings.
4.2 All individuals associated with the investigation shouldshall 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 This practice is to be used in conjunction with Guide E1843 and SpecificationSpecifications
E2057 and E2124.
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 assaultviolence evidence items during collection,
storage, and transmittal for analysis at an appropriate laboratory.
6. Procedure
6.1 Evidence Chain of Custody:
6.1.1 The chain of custody in a sexual assaultviolence examination of a victim is unique in that it may be difficult to control in
the midst of administering to the or suspect is unique due to the needs of an often mobile and traumatized individual.
6.1.2 An “examiner” or “investigator” in this usage maycan be, but is not limited to, an emergency medical practitioner, social
worker, nurse, physician, or law enforcement officer.
6.1.2.1 Each “examiner” or “investigator” shouldshall ensure that the chain of custody is continued for the transfer of the evidence
to the next “investigator” in the process.
6.1.3 The basic requirements for the labeling and initiating a chain of custody of evidence items are described in Guide E1459.
6.2 Preservation of Evidence:
6.2.1 All items of physical evidence collected in the investigation shouldshall be treated as though they are, or may contain,
perishable biological materials until the
...