ASTM E2124-15

Standard Practice for Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual Assault Investigations

ABSTRACT
This practice describes the basic instruments, equipments, and supplies used for the medical-legal examination of the victims and/or suspects in sexual assault investigations. Outlined here are the considerations for choosing a variation or optional equipment to be used, in which case all of the types of tools listed herein should be included in any examination facility.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the basic instruments used for the medical-legal examination of victims or suspects, or both, in sexual assault investigations. These specifications are 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 Additional information can be found in Terminology E1732, Guide E1843, Specification E2057, and Practice E2123.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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-Dec-2014
• 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E2124 −15
Standard Practice for
Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual Assault
1
Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2124; 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 instruments used for
E2123 Practice for Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual As-
the medical-legal examination of victims or suspects, or both,
sault Investigation
in sexual assault investigations. These specifications are de-
signed to be used in conjunction with other specifications,
3. Summary of Practice
guides, and practices associated with sexual assault examina-
tions that are listed in Section 2.
3.1 These specifications outline considerations when choos-
ing equipment to be used in the medical-legal examination of
1.2 Additional information can be found in Terminology
sexual assaults. The types of equipment listed should be
E1732, Guide E1843, Specification E2057, and Practice
included in any examination facility. Considerations for choos-
E2123.
ing a variation or optional equipment are also given.
1.3 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace
4. Instrumentation and Supplies
knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate
4.1 The following instrumentation should be available at
education, training, and experience and should be used in
examining facilities where sexual assault cases are received:
conjunction with sound professional judgment.
4.1.1 Speculum—The speculum is used to view the vaginal
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
walls and cervix. Clear plastic disposable specula are preferred
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
because they allow the examiner to see through them and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
visualize the vaginal walls. Metal specula do not allow this
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
visibility and also may reflect light when taking photographs.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Speculum illuminators which attach to the handle should be
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
considered as an aid (as they assist) in visualizing the vaginal
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
walls and cervical area.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1.2 Colposcope—The colposcope is used to magnify and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
provide increased visibility, especially in the vaginal area
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
where structures include many folds and grooves of tissue. The
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
examiner must deliberately examine each structure to deter-
mine the presence or absence of injury or foreign material, or
2. Referenced Documents
both. The use of colposcopy has been shown to be critical in
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
both pediatric and adult sexual assault examinations.
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
4.1.2.1 There are several varieties of colposcopes manufac-
E1843 Guide for SexualAssault Investigation, Examination,
tured and each program should review numerous types to
and Evidence Collection
ascertain the best instrument for their facility in view of
existing equipment and physical layout of the examination
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
environment.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplin-
4.1.2.2 The colposcope should have photographic or video
ary Forensic Science Standards.
capability, as well as print capacity. The photographic or video
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015. Published January 2015. Originally
capability should be of sufficient resolution to adequately
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E2124 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/E2124-15.
record and document the detail observed in the examination.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
(1) Appropriate digital storage media, and other supplies
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
necessary for the type of photographic instrument must also be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. maintained.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO
...

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: E2124 − 10 E2124 − 15
Standard Practice for
Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual Assault
1
Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2124; 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 instruments used for the medical-legal examination of victims or suspects, or both, in
sexual assault investigations. These specifications are 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 Additional information can be found in Terminology E1732, Guide E1843, Specification E2057, and Practice E2123.
1.3 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.
1.4 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:
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
E2123 Practice for Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigation
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 These specifications outline considerations when choosing equipment to be used in the medical-legal examination of sexual
assaults. The types of equipment listed should be included in any examination facility. Considerations for choosing a variation or
optional equipment are also given.
4. Instrumentation and Supplies
4.1 The following instrumentation should be available at examining facilities where sexual assault cases are received:
4.1.1 Speculum—The speculum is used to view the vaginal walls and cervix. Clear plastic disposable specula are preferred
because they allow the examiner to see through them and visualize the vaginal walls. Metal specula do not allow this visibility
and also may reflect light when taking photographs. Speculum illuminators which attach to the handle should be considered as an
aid (as they assist) in visualizing the vaginal walls and cervical area.
4.1.2 Colposcope—The colposcope is used to magnify and provide increased visibility, especially in the vaginal area where
structures include many folds and grooves of tissue. The examiner must deliberately examine each structure to determine the
presence or absence of injury or foreign material, or both. The use of colposcopy has been shown to be critical in both pediatric
and adult sexual assault examinations.
4.1.2.1 There are several varieties of colposcopes manufactured and each program should review numerous types to ascertain
the best instrument for their facility in view of existing equipment and physical layout of the examination environment.
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, 2010Jan. 1, 2015. Published August 2010January 2015. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20092010 as
E2124 – 09.E2124 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/E2124-10.10.1520/E2124-15.
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

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E2124 − 15
4.1.2.2 The colposcope should have photographic or video capability, as well as print capacity. The photographic or video
capability should be of sufficient resolution to adequately record and document the detail observed in the examination.
(1) Appropriate film digital storage media, and ot
...