COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES

IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES

KAJAL
M.Sc. Forensic Science 2nd Year (3rd Sem)
21151015
 CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE?
 CLASSIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES
 SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
 SIGNIFICANCE OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES
 COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES
 COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE KITS
 PACKAGING OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES
 REFERENCES
 INTRODUCTION
 A forensic investigation involving biological evidences usually begins at the crime scene. The crime
scene investigation process includes maintaining scene security ,preparing documentation, collecting
and preserving evidence .A crime scene investigation requires teamwork and effort. Investigation
starts with following tasks:
 Protection of crime scene
 Recognition of evidences
 Documentation
 Searches
 Collection of evidences
 Packaging of evidence
 Chain of custody
 Transportation
WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE?
 Biological evidence is a very broad category of evidences. The word biological is derived from
the word ‘Biology’ which refers to living organism where else evidence is defined as something
legally submitted .
 Biological evidence can be referred as biological material or substances such as
hair ,tissue ,bones, blood, semen, or other bodily fluids including items containing biological
material and used to corroborate and provide mean of proofing statement.
 As the term signifies , biological evidences comes from various sources of origin ,it can be from
human , plants and animal origin .
 CLASSIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL
EVIDENCES
 They are classified into three categories on the basis of their origin :

Biological
Evidence
(On the bases of origin)

Animal Human Plant

BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE RELATED TO BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
RELATED TO ANIMALS HUMAN RELATED TO PLANT

 1- Hair 1) Scalp Hair 1) Root

 2- Skin 2) Dandruff 2) Stem
 3- Muscle 3) Hair Roots 3) Branch
 4- Ligaments 4) Skin 4) Leaves
 5-Bones 5) Muscles 5) Pollen
 6-Skull 6) Tissues 6) Spores
 7-Skeletons 7) Bones or Bone Fragments 7) Flower
 8-Rhino Horns 8) Ligaments 8) Diatoms
 9-Claws 9) Bone Marrow 9) Algae
 10-Tusk 10)Sweat 10) Moss
 11-Kasturi 11) Eyelash Hair 11) Lichen
 12-Feathers 12) Tears 12) Sap
 13-Leather 13) Rheum 13) Bark
 14-Birds 14) Vitreous Humour 14) Fruit
 15-Snake skin 15) Ear Hair 15) Seeds
 16-Snake venom 16) Ear Wax 16) Stamen
 17-Crocodile’s skin 17) Ear print 17) Sepal
 18-Pug Marks 18) Moustaches 18) Nectar
 19-Shells 19) Beard 19) Shell
 20-Hoof 20) Auxiliary Hair
 21-Saliva 21) Pubic Hair
 22-Meat 22) Lanugo Hair
 23-Teeth 23) Nasal Hair
 24-Peacock’s Feather 24) Nasal Secretions
 25-Shark 25) Mucus
 26-Beak 26) Saliva
 27-Egg shell 27) Teeth
 28-Polar Bear 28) Dentition (eruption sequence)
 29-Game Birds 29) Buccal Cells
 30-Bite Marks 30) Mucous Cells
 31-Wool 31) Salivary Amylase
 32-Horns 32) Bite Marks
 33-Canines 33) Lip print
 SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
 Sexual assault is a crime of violence against a person’s body resulting in a
physical trauma and mental anguish .
 SIGNIFICANCE OF BIOLOGICAL
EVIDENCE
 During the crime scene investigation ,the identification and recovery of biological evidence are
utmost important , since sometimes these are the only way to prove sexual contact and the
perpetrator’s identity.
 The examiner with the help of scientific technologies and techniques, must be able to find
evidence that otherwise could go unnoticed.
 Forensic laboratories identify biological evidence with systemized protocols and use molecular
methods to generate DNA profiles based on the amplification and DNA sequencing . The results
obtained from such analyses are very useful for the identification of sexual aggressors.
 LIST OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES IN SEXUAL
ASSAULT CASES:

BLOOD SALIVA SEMEN HAIR

FINGER NAILS
VAGINAL SWEAT URINE AND
SECREATIONS SCRAPPINGS
 METHODS OF COLLECTION

SWABBING SWABBING CUTTING

SCRAPPING LIFTING LIFTING

 COLLECTION :
BLOOD: Blood is a fluid connective tissue in the body .
TYPE OF CONDITION METHOD OF PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION
BLOOD DRY SWAB Best on nonabsorbent surfaces; lightly moisten sterile swab with distilled or sterile water,
rub over stain while rotating; allow to air-dry; a combination of first a moistened swabbing
followed by second a dry swabbing (both swabs submitted) is recommended.

CUTTING Cut stain from item.

SCRAPING Scrape bloodstain into a clean piece of paper using a clean blade; wrap sample
using druggist's fold .
LIFTING Works for nonabsorbent surfaces; use fingerprint lifting tape that does not interfere with
DNA testing to lift stain; lifted stain should be covered with a piece of lifter's cover.

COLLECT ENTIRE Collect if item contains bloodstain pattern; difficult to swab; requires multiple exams.
ITEM
WET SWAB Absorb blood sample onto sterile cotton swabs; stain should be concentrated on tip and
allowed to air-dry
FTA PAPER Use a sterile disposable pipet to collect liquid blood; spot on FTA paper; allow to air-dry .

REFERENCE VENOUS BLOOD Collect blood in a purple-topped vacutainer tube containing

LIQUID BLOOD COLLECTION ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant; refrigerate but never freeze.
SAMPLE
SEMEN: Semen is a thick, yellowish white, glairy, opalescent,secretion having
a characteristic odor known as seminal odor .
TYPE OF CONDITION METHOD OF PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION
SEMEN DRY SWAB Best on nonabsorbent surfaces; lightly moisten sterile swab with distilled or sterile
water, rub over stain while rotating; allow to air-dry; a combination of first a
moistened swabbing followed by second a dry swabbing (both swabs submitted) is
recommended.
CUTTING Cut stain from item.

SCRAPING Scrape semen stain into a clean piece of paper using a clean blade; wrap sample
using druggist's fold Lifting
LIFTING Works for nonabsorbent surfaces; use fingerprint lifting tape that does not interfere
with DNA testing to lift stain; lifted stain should be covered with a piece of lifter's
cover.
WET SWAB Absorb semen sample onto sterile cotton swabs; stain should be concentrated on tip
and allowed to air-dry.
FTA PAPER Use a sterile disposable pipet to collect liquid sample; spot on FTA paper; allow to
air-dry .
CONDOM COLLECT ENTIRE Secure condom with a tie and place in a container in a refrigerator; submit to
ITEM laboratory as soon as possible
REFERENCE VARIOUS VICTIM SEXUAL Standardized kit to collect biological evidence from the body of a victim includes
SAMPLE CONDITIONS ASSAULT KIT swabs, microscope slides, and envelopes.
SUSPECT STANDARD Standardized kit to collect biological evidence from the body of a victim includes
KIT swabs, microscope slides, and envelopes.
 VAGINAL SECRETIONS:
 Vaginal secretions contains a mixture of cells and liquid .Often collected from a suspect’s public
area or fingers.
TYPE OF CONDITION METHOD OF PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION
VICTIM DRY SWAB Best on nonabsorbent surfaces; lightly moisten sterile swab with distilled or sterile
VAGINAL water, rub over stain while rotating; allow to air-dry; a combination of first a
FLUID moistened
swabbing followed by second a dry swabbing (both swabs submitted) is
recommended.

CUTTING Cut stain from item .

SCRAPING Scrape stain into a clean piece of paper using a clean blade; wrap sample
using druggist's fold Lifting
LIFTING Works for nonabsorbent surfaces; use fingerprint lifting tape that does not interfere
with DNA testing to lift stain; lifted stain should be covered with a piece of lifter's
cover.
WET SWAB Absorb stain sample onto sterile cotton swabs; stain should be concentrated on tip and
allowed to air-dry
FTA PAPER Use a sterile disposable pipet to collect liquid fluid; spot on FTA paper; allow to air-
dry .
SALIVA:Saliva is a fluid largely composed of water with little amounts of
electrolytes and enzymes .It is secreted by a pair of salivary glands in the mouth .
TYPE OF CONDITION METHOD OF PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION
SALIVA DRY SWAB Best on nonabsorbent surfaces; lightly moisten sterile swab with distilled or sterile
water, rub over stain while rotating; allow to air-dry; a combination of first a
moistened swabbing followed by second a dry swabbing (both swabs submitted) is
recommended.

CUTTING Cut stain from item .

SCRAPING Scrape stain into a clean piece of paper using a clean blade; wrap sample
using druggist's fold Lifting
LIFTING Works for nonabsorbent surfaces; use fingerprint lifting tape that does not interfere
with DNA testing to lift stain; lifted stain should be covered with a piece of lifter's
cover.
WET SWAB Absorb sample onto sterile cotton swabs; stain should be concentrated on tip and
allowed to air-dry
FTA PAPER Use a sterile disposable pipet to collect liquid ; spot on FTA paper; allow to air-dry .

REFERENCE SWAB Swab the inside of the cheek using two swabs ,rotating them during collection;allow
SALIVA to air dry .
[BUCCAL
FILTER PAPER Place donor saliva sample on marked area of filter paper; allow to air dry.
SAMPLE ]
HAIR: Hair is the appendage of the skin that grows out of an
organ known as the hair follicle .
TYPE OF CONDITION METHOD OF PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION

HAIR HEAD AND LIFTING Works for nonabsorbent surfaces; use fingerprint lifting tape
PUBIC HAIRS that does not interfere with DNA testing to lift stain; lifted stain
should be covered with a piece of lifter's cover.

TRANSFER Use forceps to transfer hair onto a piece of paper then can be
folded .

VACUUM Vacuum can be used if necessary; generally not recommended.

OTHER IMPORTANT BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES :
TYPE OF CONDITION METHOD OF PROCEDURE
EVIDENCEE COLLECTION

FINGERNAILS VARIOUS CLIPPING Use a clean clipper to clip nails onto clean
AND CONDITIONS paper; wrap samples using druggist’s fold.
SCRAPING
SCRAPING Scrape undersides of nails onto clean
paper ;wrap samples using druggist’s fold

TISSUES WET FREEZE IN A Collect if blood is not available; place specimen

CONTAINER in a container and freeze.

URINE

SWEAT
COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE KITS:

Fig1 : Sexual assault evidence collection kit Fig3:FTA CARD

Fig2:Various types of swabs that are used for collecting biological evidence
 PACKAGING
 Package evidence and seal the container to protect it from loss, cross transfer, contamination .
 Use paper bags, envelopes, boxes and similar materials for all biological evidence.
 Avoid plastic packaging as an inner or outer package.
 Avoid the use of pill tins due to possible rust.
 Ensure that all swabs and evidence are dry.
 Package each item separately; to prevent cross contamination.
 Swabs collected from a single item may be packaged in the same container.
 Mark each package with a detailed description that includes the item, location where it was collected,
name of the person who collected it and date of collection.
 Seal each package with tape. (staples are not considered a proper seal.) All seals must be marked to
identify the person making the seal. Mark through the seal with name or initials and date.
 The integrity of the item often is maintained through the package’s documentation.
 That documentation includes all markings, seals, tags and labels used by all of the involved agencies.
Therefore, it is critical to preserve or document all packaging and labels received by or returned to your
agency.
EVIDENCE PACKAGING KITS
 REFERENCES
 Li, R. (2008). Forensic biology: identification and DNA analysis of
biological evidence. CRC press.
 Singh, H. N. (2021). Collection, preservation and transportation of biological
evidence for forensic DNA analysis.
 McClintock, J. T. (2014). Forensic analysis of biological evidence: a
laboratory guide for serological and DNA typing. CRC Press.
 Sharma, B. R. (1990). Forensic science in criminal investigation and trials.
Central law agency.
 Campbell, J. D., Skubitz, A. P. N., Somiari, S. B., Sexton, K. C., & Pugh, R.
S. (2008). International Society for Biological and Environmental
Repositories (ISBER). 2008 Best Practices for Repositories: Collection,
Storage, Retrieval and Distribution Research. Cell Preserv Technol.
THANKYOU