Module 5
Medical Forensic Sexual Assault Examinations: What Are They, and What Can They Tell the Courts?

Times Frames for Evidence Collection

The time frames for evidence collection are based on scientific research into how long after a sexual assault it is possible to retrieve and rely on the forensic evidence collected. New techniques are constantly expanding the time frames for evidence collection. 

Until recently the standard evidence collection cutoff time was 72 hours (3 days) from the assault. Now many jurisdictions have cutoff times of 120 or 134 hours (5-7 days). Traces of certain drugs can now be detected in a urine sample up to 120 hours after assault. New DNA technologies are also enabling forensic specialists to analyze DNA from sexual assault examination kits and other types of evidence long in storage, often due to the failure of police departments nationwide to test these kits in a timely manner. Consult your agency’s state-specific supplemental guide for this information.

Regardless of the timeframe, intervening actions can impact retrieval of forensic evidence, explained on the following page.

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