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What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

Investigators and Evidence Technicians

Stains on the Victim

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Image of sexual assault evidence collection kit for female or male victim
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

Collecting Stains on the Victim

Procedures for collecting stains on the victim are:

  • Use new sterile swabs (moistened with distilled water, if the stain is to dry) to swab the stain
  • Allow swabs to air-dry
  • Package in labeled paper

If the stain is dried in the hair, use new or sterile scissors to trim the strands of hair. Packaging should include documentation with reference points that explain the exact location of the stain on the victim.

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