Contribution to the Development of Guidelines in the Analysis of Biological Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations |
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| Authors: | Benedita Ferreira‐Silva MSc Maria João Porto MSc Teresa Magalhães MD PhD Laura Cainé MD PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Public Health, Forensic Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200‐319 Porto, Portugal;2. National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Jardim Carrilho Videira, 4050‐167 Porto, PortugalCorresponding author: Benedita Ferreira da Silva, M.Sc. E‐mail:;3. National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Jardim Carrilho Videira, 4050‐167 Porto, Portugal;4. Department of Sciences, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (IINFACTS), University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS‐CESPU), R. Central da Gandra 1317, Gandra, Portugal |
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| Abstract: | This investigation intends to study materials and techniques used for biological evidence collection in sexual assault cases and is divided into two stages: in stage one, methods for biological evidence collection (the single swab (including three variants) and the “double swab technique”) were compared; in stage two, swabs’ component material was compared. The sampling was composed of 42 heterosexual couples who provided mock samples. The collection methods in which the whole swab is covered by evidence presented significantly better outcomes (p < 0.001), such as the “double swab technique.” Additionally, nylon swabs proved to present significantly better features regarding the capacity of sample elution, providing significantly higher amounts of DNA (p ≤ 0.034). This study provides guidelines for better collection of biological evidence regarding the collection method using a swab and the proper swab material to utilize. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic genetics DNA typing sexual assault collection methods double swab technique nylon swab swab with desiccator |
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