Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Kit
Definition
The standardised collection kit used by trained healthcare providers to obtain biological samples from a survivor within a defined collection window, typically 72 to 120 hours. Contains swabs for vaginal, cervical, oral, and anal collection, reference blood and buccal samples, fingernail scrapings, and clothing packaging materials. The kit is sealed and transferred under chain of custody to the forensic laboratory.
- Collection window
- Typically 72 to 120 hours
- Administered by
- Trained healthcare providers
- Contents
- Swabs, reference blood/buccal samples, nail scrapings, clothing packaging
- Handling requirement
- Sealed and transferred under chain of custody
Common questions
Why does the collection window vary rather than having one fixed cutoff?+
The realistic window for recovering usable biological material depends on factors like the type of assault, hygiene activity since the assault, and body site, so protocols give a range rather than a single hard deadline, and some evidence can still be relevant later.
Why are reference blood and buccal samples included alongside assault-related swabs?+
They provide the survivor's own known DNA profile, which the laboratory needs to distinguish the survivor's own cells from any foreign biological material recovered on the evidentiary swabs during analysis.
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