Evidence Kit
Definition
A standardised collection of envelopes, swabs, slides, and forms provided by the jurisdiction's law enforcement or health authority for use in sexual assault or other forensic medical examinations. The kit defines what is to be collected and in what containers.
- Contents
- Envelopes, swabs, slides, and standardised collection forms
- Issued by
- Jurisdiction's law enforcement or health authority
- Common use
- Sexual assault examinations and other forensic medical exams
- Function
- Defines what is collected and which containers are used
Common questions
Why are evidence kits standardised rather than assembled case by case?+
Standardisation ensures every examiner collects the same items in the same containers using the same labelling, which keeps results comparable across cases and prevents gaps that could later be challenged in court.
Does using a kit guarantee the evidence will be admissible?+
No. The kit only supplies the collection materials. Admissibility also depends on informed consent, correct chain-of-custody documentation from the moment of collection, and proper storage and transport afterward.
Related terms
- Chain of Custody
- The documented chronological record of who collected, handled, transferred, and examined a piece of evidence. For digital evidence, chain of custody includes...
- Continuity of Evidence
- The UK courts' term for the same concept as chain of custody: the requirement that the prosecution can account for the movement...
- Spoilation
- The destruction, loss, or alteration of evidence in litigation, whether intentional or negligent. Courts may impose sanctions including adverse inference instructions when...
- Tamper-Evident Seal
- A physical barrier (tape, sticker, wax) applied to packaging that shows visible damage if the package has been opened after sealing. Courts...
- Transfer Documentation
- The written record of evidence moving from one person or location to another, specifying the date, time, persons involved, condition of the...