scholarly journals Biological Evidence Analysis in Cases of Sexual Assault

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benito Ramos González ◽  
Miranda Córdova Mercado ◽  
Orlando Salas Salas ◽  
Juan Carlos Hernández Reyes ◽  
Martín Guardiola Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Evidence Analysis ◽  
Biological Evidence

Impact of poor evidence management on DNA profiling in sexual assault and homicide: A case report

2021 ◽  
pp. 002581722096648
Author(s):  
Naresh Kumar ◽  
Pooja Puri ◽  
SK Shukla ◽  
Deepa Verma
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Dna Profiling ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Vaginal Swabs ◽  
Biological Evidence

Increasing numbers of female victims of violent sexual assaults are being murdered with the aim of concealing the identity of the perpetrator. Proper handling and analysis of evidence is very important in gaining a conviction in many criminal cases. After evidence is collected, due precautions must be taken to ensure that the integrity of the sample is maintained, and chances of contamination are minimised. This paper presents a case study where improper handling of biological evidence led to loss of evidentiary value, and the semen could not be located on the vaginal swabs and victim’s garments due to improper preservation of samples. However, the DNA from the nail of a decomposed finger helped identify the victim, and the suspect was apprehended based on the clues given by her family.

Prosecutors’ Perspectives on Biological Evidence and Injury Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases

2018 ◽  
pp. 088626051877825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Alderden ◽  
Theodore P. Cross ◽  
Maja Vlajnic ◽  
Laura Siller
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Biological Evidence

Management of DNA evidence collected on adolescents in sexual assault investigations: A 10-year review from a large Italian rape centre

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Piccinini ◽  
Giulia Vignali ◽  
Paolo Bailo ◽  
Giussy Barbara ◽  
Giuseppe Gennari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Female Adolescent ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Dna Evidence ◽  
Dna Analyses ◽  
Chain Of Custody ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Biological Evidence ◽  
Assault Victims

Little research is available on the actual forensic use of genetic analyses performed in sexual violence cases, despite their relevant role in legal processes. The present retrospective study aimed to contribute to filling this gap in research, evaluating the actual number of serological/DNA analyses that followed medical examination of female adolescent victims of sexual violence. The study was performed in a large rape centre in Milan (North Italy) by analysing all medical records of female victims of sexual violence aged 13–19 years in the period from January 2006 to December 2015. The total number of sexual assault victims examined aged 13–19 years was 599. In 473 of the cases, biological evidence had been collected. The gathering of biological evidence was accurately performed (double swab technique) in multiple anatomical regions on the victims’ bodies, and clothes were acquired when biological stains were present or could be present. Proper handling under chain of custody for all the items collected followed in every case. Despite all of this, serological/DNA analyses were requested in only 9/473 (1.9%) cases. Procedural issues possibly affecting the magistrates’ decisions not to use DNA extensively as an investigative tool are also discussed.

Identification, Corroboration, and Charging: Examining the Use of DNA Evidence by Prosecutors in Sexual Assault Cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tri Keah S. Henry ◽  
Alicia L. Jurek
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Case Processing ◽  
Dna Evidence ◽  
Biological Evidence ◽  
Sexual Assault Case

This study examines the influence of DNA evidence on prosecutorial decisions in sexual assault cases. Thirty-eight prosecutors experienced with prosecuting sexual violence cases were surveyed regarding the use of biological evidence in sexual assault cases, including the ways in which it is generally used, the cases in which it is most critical to have, and factors impacting case attrition. Results indicate that prosecutors perceive DNA evidence to be extremely valuable in prosecuting sexual assault cases. Several themes related to the perspective, context, process, and conditions under which DNA evidence plays a vital role in sexual assault case processing are identified.

Contribution to the Development of Guidelines in the Analysis of Biological Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 534-538
Author(s):  
Benedita Ferreira‐Silva ◽  
Maria João Porto ◽  
Teresa Magalhães ◽  
Laura Cainé
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Biological Evidence

scholarly journals Physical and Biological Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases Reported in District Rawalpindi

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1913-1915
Author(s):  
Tasneem Murad ◽  
Sundus Ambreen ◽  
Noureen Hafeez ◽  
Faisal Khan ◽  
Jahanzaib . ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Anal Swab ◽  
Presence And Absence ◽  
Biological Evidence ◽  
Genital Injuries

Forensic medical examination serve two purposes i.e.to preserve mental and physical health of the victim as well as collection of forensic evidence 1,2. Collection and documentation of evidence whether in form of injures or biological material is help to validate the objects and the accoster's past.3 The outline of wounds also has a criminal worth because they are related to the result of lawful proceedings4. The works assessment explores the variables linked to genital harm occurrence and places that are informed in a sequence of surveying examinations of medicinal proceedings 5.The occurrence of perfect indication of erotic harms in the U.S. ranges from 5-27%, in Italy 11.5%, in Thailand 42% and in Denmark 38%. In Israel, as in another place in the countries, few cases of erotic stabbing in children have vibrant indication of a erotic style. 6,7,8,9. Objective: To evaluate incidence and comparison of physical and biological evidence in victims of sexual assault and their relation to time interval between examination and incident. Methodology: The retrospective cross sectional study was placed during June 2019 to December 2020 on cases reported in the DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi with follow up reports. Total 108 cases were reported during this period. Data was collected from DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi with follow up reports. Examination results were included presence and absence of physical injuries located genital region and other parts of the body, and presence and absence of biological evidence .The fallouts of investigation were linked to parameters such as sex, age and length of time since assault. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 19 Results: Female victim: Out of 108 cases 77 was female.61% was unmarried and 39% was married (Figure 1). 44.2% cases was fall between age range of 16-20years.2.6%cases between age group of 45-50 years.51.9% cases belong to rural area. While 48.1% cases belong to urban. Vaginal swab was positive in 79.2%.genital injuries was present in 13% cases.11.7% married and 1.3% unmarried. Other injuries present in 6.5%married.7.8%unmarried. Fresh hymen injuries present in 13%.old in 41.6%. Male victims: Total 31 in number.67.7%in rural area ,while 32.3% in urban.45.2% (14)between age group 11-15 years .Anal swab was positive in 64.5%.(20 in number).Bleeding was present in 32.3% (10)cases. Bruises in 41.9%.abrasion was present in 48.4%.(15)25% in 11-15 years age group. Genital injuries was present in 45.2%(14).other injuries 28.1%.anal swab with injuries positive in 34.4%.negative in 12.5%.Finding on clothes was present on 12.5%. Conclusion & Recommendations: Rape or sexual assault in the absence of prior sexy knowledge, genital or physique harms are usually found in adolescents. The possibility of rape in nonappearance of any hurt, with or deprived of permission cannot be excluded. A competent forensic examiner must examines and follow up the victims of sexual violence. The forensic examiner must have technical and scientific skills that are medicinal and stabbing history taking, whole body examination, and organic article collects, recording damages, clinical pediatric practice, interpretation of findings and reports and prosecution. Keywords: Genital harms, adolescent, body injuries, Prosecution

DNA evidence in sexual assault cases in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-277
Author(s):  
Nouman Rasool ◽  
Muzamal Rasool
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Medical Examination ◽  
Criminal Trials ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Dna Evidence ◽  
The World ◽  
Biological Evidence

Sexual assault is becoming a global epidemic, affecting close to a billion women throughout the world. This paper explores the challenges in the admissibility of DNA evidence in rape cases in Pakistan. Delays in the medical examination of victims, and improper collection and packaging of evidentiary material, compromise the probative biological evidence. In the last few years, existing laws have been amended to increase the utility of DNA evidence during criminal trials. However, various issues – for example lack of proper knowledge of DNA evidence by lawyers and judicial officers, inadequacies in existing laws and conflicting decisions of apex courts – can affect the admissibility of DNA evidence during criminal trials.

Biological Evidence in Adult and Adolescent Sexual Assault Cases: Timing and Relationship to Arrest

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1828-1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore P. Cross ◽  
Megan Alderden ◽  
Alex Wagner ◽  
Lisa Sampson ◽  
Brittany Peters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Laboratory Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Arrest Rates ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Laboratory Report ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
Biological Evidence ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Crime Laboratory

This study examined the timing of the crime laboratory report relative to arrests in sexual assault cases and explored the relationship between biological evidence and arrest in those cases in which the crime laboratory report came first and thus could have influenced the arrest decision. A random sample ( N = 528) of cases that occurred between 2008 and 2010 and included a report to police was drawn from a Massachusetts statewide database of medical reports on sexual assault cases. Data from medical providers were merged with data abstracted from crime laboratory reports and with data requested from police departments. The vast majority (91.5%) of arrests took place before crime laboratory analysis could be conducted. The crime laboratory report was available before or near in time to the arrest in 11 cases. These cases were significantly more likely than other cases to have DNA profiles of the assailant, DNA matches to the suspect, and a match to another investigation in the FBI’s CODIS DNA database. Given that the probable cause needed to make an arrest in these cases was presumably established only after crime laboratory analysis was available, DNA may have helped lead to the arrest in these cases. However, these results should be interpreted very cautiously, because statistically significant results in early, small studies can have inflated effect sizes and often do not replicate in future studies. Because most arrests occur well before biological evidence is available, improvements in recovering biological evidence may have modest effects on arrest rates, though they may impact arrest rates by identifying more serial offenders. Future research on the relationship of biological evidence to arrest should use methods to increase sample size of relevant cases, such as oversampling cases with later arrests and using case control study designs. Future studies should also use case abstraction and interview methods to explore how police use biological evidence to make arrests.

scholarly journals Biological Evidence Management for DNA Analysis in Cases of Sexual Assault

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Magalhães ◽  
Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira ◽  
Benedita Silva ◽  
Francisco Corte-Real ◽  
Duarte Nuno Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Forensic Genetics ◽  
Sexual Contact ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
Biological Evidence

Biological evidence with forensic interest may be found in several cases of assault, being particularly relevant if sexually related. Sexual assault cases are characterized by low rates of disclosure, reporting, prosecution, and conviction. Biological evidence is sometimes the only way to prove the occurrence of sexual contact and to identify the perpetrator. The major focus of this review is to propose practical approaches and guidelines to help health, forensic, and law enforcement professionals to deal with biological evidence for DNA analysis. Attention should be devoted to avoiding contamination, degradation, and loss of biological evidence, as well as respecting specific measures to properly handle evidence (i.e., selection, collection, packing, sealing, labeling, storage, preservation, transport, and guarantee of the chain custody). Biological evidence must be carefully managed since the relevance of any finding in Forensic Genetics is determined, in the first instance, by the integrity and quantity of the samples submitted for analysis.

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