Kit Shelf Life
Definition
The period during which an unused sealed SAFE kit remains usable, typically 2-5 years depending on the manufacturer and storage conditions. Expired kits are discarded because reagents in some components may fail.
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...
- Double-Swab Technique
- A collection method for dried biological stains in which a moistened swab rehydrates and lifts the stain from the surface, followed immediately...
- Reference Sample
- A biological sample collected from a known individual (victim, suspect, or elimination source) for comparison against scene stains. Typically a buccal swab...
- SAFE Kit
- Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence kit. The standardised collection of containers and instructions used to gather biological and trace evidence from a sexual...
- Wet Evidence Drying
- The mandatory air-drying step for any wet biological sample before sealing. Sealing wet evidence traps moisture, promotes bacterial growth, and degrades DNA....
Explained in
- The SAFE Kit: Components and Collection SequenceThe period during which an unused sealed SAFE kit remains usable, typically 2-5 years depending on the manufacturer and storage conditions. Expired kits are di...