Code of Maine Rules › 16 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY › 219 - OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER › Chapter 71 - UNIFORM STANDARDIZED FORENSIC EXAMINATION KIT FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION › ADULT INSTRUCTIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
PLEASE NOTE:
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Unless otherwise noted,
do not
				  moisten
swabs prior to sample collection. If moistening is
				  required, use only sterile / distilled water.
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All swabs should be air dried prior to
				  packaging, with the exception of the Known DNA Collection swab, which may be
				  packaged immediately using the plastic aerated cap provided.
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Unless otherwise noted, place the evidence
				  collection specimens back into the envelope or bag from which they
				  came.
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All envelopes and bags containing evidence
				  should be sealed. Attach a tracking label to the outside of each envelope or
				  bag and fill out all information requested.
CLOTHING
				  COLLECTION:
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Clothing may be removed and collected at any
				  point during the examination process. When the patient is ready to disrobe, use
				  the paper sheet from the Foreign Material Collection bag to collect any foreign
				  material by placing the sheet on the floor over a clean facility bed sheet and
				  instructing the patient to stand on it while removing each item of clothing.
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Collect each clothing item as it is removed and
				  place it in the appropriate clothing bag. Do not shake out the clothing or cut
				  through any existing holes, rips, or stains in the clothing. Air dry any wet or
				  damp clothing if secure facilities are available; otherwise, notify law
				  enforcement personnel that the clothing is wet or damp.
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Refold the Foreign Material Collection sheet in
				  such a manner as to retain any material present and place it in the Foreign
				  Material Collection bag.
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If the patient changed his or her clothing after
				  the assault, notify law enforcement personnel so the clothing worn at the time
				  of the assault may be collected.
Step 1. ORAL SWABS
Carefully swab the buccal area and gum line using the two
				  swabs simultaneously. Be sure to collect the swabs from the upper and lower
				  buccal areas and the gum line, rotating the swabs during collection.
Allow the swabs to air dry, then place the swabs in the swab
				  box and check "Oral".
Step 2. KNOWN DNA COLLECTION
NOTE: Have the patient rinse his / her mouth with
				  water prior to completing this step.
Remove the components from the envelope. Open the swab
				  protector and slide the protector back to expose the swab head.
Using the swab, vigorously swab the inside of both of the
				  patient's cheeks for 5 to 10 seconds.
Pull the swab head back into the protector and re-close the
				  protector around the swab head.
Step 3. FINGERNAIL CLIPPINGS / SWABS
Remove the folded paper from the envelope and place,
				  unfolded, on a flat surface.
Hold the patient's hands over the paper and gently clip the
				  entire nail, allowing the clippings to fall on the paper.
Refold the paper so as to retain the fingernail
				  clippings.
If the patient declines clippings, use one of the swabs to
				  swab under the fingernails of the right hand and the other swab to swab under
				  the fingernails of the left hand. Allow the swabs to air dry, then place the
				  swabs in the swab box and check "Fingernails".
Step 4. KNOWN HEAD HAIR SAMPLE
Remove the folded paper from the envelope and place,
				  unfolded, on a flat surface.
Run a gloved hand through the patient's hair, gently
				  removing 10-12 hairs (total) from various scalp locations (front, top, sides,
				  and back of head). The patient may be more comfortable performing this step
				  himself or herself. If the required number of hairs is not collected, have the
				  patient pull the additional required hairs. Alternatively, the hairs may be cut
				  close to the scalp.
Place the hairs in the center of the paper and refold so as
				  to retain the hairs.
Step 5. DEBRIS COLLECTION
NOTE: This step is provided for the collection of
				  debris such as foreign hairs, fibers, etc. from the patient's body. Do not
				  package debris from different areas of the patient's body in the same envelope;
				  if necessary, use a separate clean facility envelope and make a druggist
				  fold.
Remove the folded paper from the envelope and place,
				  unfolded, on a flat surface.
Collect any debris present on the patient and place in the
				  center of the paper. Fold the paper so as to retain the debris.
Identify the location from which the samples were removed on
				  the anatomical drawings on the envelope.
Step 6. DRIED SECRETIONS / MISCELLANEOUS
				  SWABS
NOTE: This step is provided for the collection of
				  suspected blood, semen, or saliva which may be present on the patient's body.
				  Carefully examine areas of kissing, sucking, or biting for saliva, and other
				  body areas for ejaculate or other dried secretions. An alternate light source
				  is helpful for locating secretions. Do not package swabs from different areas
				  of the patient's body in the same swab box; if necessary, use separate swab
				  boxes or clean envelopes from facility stock. Additional swabs are provided in
				  this step for the collection of evidence not covered elsewhere in this kit
				  (e.g. nasal swabs, strangulation swabs).
Lightly moisten two of the provided swabs with sterile /
				  distilled water and thoroughly swab the dried secretion with both swabs.
Allow the swabs to air dry, then place the swabs in one of
				  the swab boxes provided.
Mark on the swab box if the swabs are suspected semen,
				  saliva, blood, or other. If other, please describe.
Identify the location from which the samples were removed on
				  the anatomical drawings on the envelope.
If additional swabs are necessary, lightly moisten the other
				  swabs with a minimal amount of sterile / distilled water and thoroughly swab
				  the area making sure to rotate the swabs during the collection procedure. Allow
				  the swabs to air dry, then place the swabs in the other swab box and check
				  "Other". Identify the sample on the line provided and write the area of the
				  patient's body from which the sample was obtained.
Step 7. PUBIC COMBING
Remove the folded paper and comb. Unfold the paper and place
				  it under the patient's buttocks.
Comb the pubic hair in downward strokes to allow any debris
				  or loose hairs to fall onto the paper.
Remove the paper from under the patient, place the comb in
				  the center of the paper, and refold so as to retain the comb and any evidence
				  collected.
If the patient has a shaved pubic area, DO NOT pluck the
				  hair. Observe the area carefully for any pubic hairs. If found, place in the
				  folded paper and document on the envelope that a foreign pubic hair was found
				  on the patient's shaved pubic area.
Step 8. KNOWN PUBIC HAIR SAMPLE
NOTE: Skip this step if the patient shaves his or her
				  pubic area.
Remove the folded paper from the envelope and place,
				  unfolded, on a flat surface.
Remove 3-5 hairs (total) from various regions of the pubic
				  area by cutting the hairs close to the skin. The patient may be more
				  comfortable performing this step himself or herself.
Place the hairs in the center of the paper and refold so as
				  to retain the hairs.
Step 9. GENITAL / PENILE SWABS
Lightly moisten the swabs provided with 1-2 drops of sterile
				  / distilled water.
Holding the swabs together, briskly swab the external
				  genitalia from the mons to the perineum, including along the folds between the
				  labia majora and the labia minora in the female patient. Be sure to rotate the
				  swabs during the collection procedure. With the male patient, swab the entire
				  penis and scrotum. Retract the foreskin if uncircumcised.
Allow the swabs to air dry, then place the swabs in the box
				  and check "Genital / Penile".
Step 10. ANAL SWABS
If necessary, lightly moisten the swabs with a minimal
				  amount of sterile / distilled water for the comfort of the patient.
Carefully swab the anus using the two swabs
				  simultaneously.
Allow the swabs to air dry, then place the swabs in the swab
				  box and check "Anal".
Step 11. VAGINAL / CERVICAL SWABS
Carefully swab the vaginal vault (including the fornix) and
				  cervix using the two swabs simultaneously. Swabbing the cervix is particularly
				  important if more than 12 hours have passed since the assault. Do not swab the
				  os.
Place the swabs in the swab box and check "Vaginal /
				  Cervical."
Step 12. MISCELLANEOUS EVIDENCE
NOTE: This step is provided for the collection of
				  miscellaneous evidence not covered elsewhere in this kit, such as tampons,
				  sanitary pads, condoms, etc. Do not package multiple items together in the same
				  bag. Use a separate facility paper bag or one of the clothing bags if
				  available.
Collect the item and allow it to air dry if necessary. When
				  dry, place in the paper bag.
Step 13. URINE SPECIMEN
NOTE: If the patient presents with drowsiness, memory
				  loss, impaired motor skills, etc. or there is a suspicion of a drug used to
				  facilitate rape, and the ingestion is suspected to have occurred within 96
				  hours of the hospital examination, the patient should be asked for consent to
				  have a urine sample collected for identification of "rape drugs." If consent is
				  given, immediately collect urine as specified below. To assist the
				  toxicologist, document the date and time when the drug was probably ingested,
				  the date and time the specimen was collected, and any drugs or alcohol
				  voluntarily ingested in the last five days.
Using normal medical procedure and one 100 ml sterile urine
				  collection container from facility stock, collect a 100 ml urine sample.
Attach a tracking label to the container and close it
				  tightly.
Seal the container with evidence tape, place the container
				  in the ziplock bag, and close the bag.
Place on ice until the packaging of specimens is done
				  at the end of the forensic examination.
When packaging, place the ziplock bag with the urine
				  container in the urine collection box.
Seal the box, attach a tracking label and the biohazard and
				  urine stickers, and fill out all information requested.
DO NOT PLACE THE BOX CONTAINING THE URINE SPECIMEN BACK IN
				  THE KIT. Instead, use the packaging materials provided. Instruct law
				  enforcement to
freeze the urine
until transport to HETL for
				  analysis.
Step 14. BLOOD SPECIMEN
NOTE: If the patient presents with drowsiness, memory
				  loss, impaired motor skills, etc. or there is a suspicion of a drug used to
				  facilitate rape, and the ingestion is suspected to have occurred within 96
				  hours of the hospital examination, the patient should be asked for consent to
				  have a blood sample collected for identification of "rape drugs". If consent is
				  given, immediately collect a blood sample as specified below. Use two 10 ml
				  gray-topped blood tubes or four 5 ml gray-topped blood tubes (potassium oxalate
				  and sodium fluoride). To assist the toxicologist, document the date and time
				  when the drug was probably ingested, the date and time the specimens were
				  collected, and any drugs or alcohol voluntarily ingested in the last five
				  days.
Using normal medical procedure and appropriate blood
				  collection tubes, withdraw a sample from the patient allowing the blood tubes
				  to fill to maximum volume. Attach a tracking label to the blood tubes.
Place the tubes in the enclosed bubble pack and seal.
Place on ice until the packaging of specimens is done
				  at the end of the forensic examination.
When packaging, place the bubble pack in the blood
				  collection box.
Seal the box, attach a tracking label and the biohazard and
				  blood stickers, and fill out all information requested.
DO NOT PLACE THE BOX CONTAINING THE BLOOD SPECIMENS BACK IN
				  THE KIT. Instead, use the packaging materials provided. Instruct law
				  enforcement to
refrigerate (not freeze) the blood
until transport
				  to HETL for analysis.