CSI And Sexual Assault
How has forensic science changed sexual-assault crime investigation?
Three letters to that answer: DNA. Prior to the advent of DNA analysis, the forensic community really had no definitive way of tying a suspect rapist into an assault. And when DNA came along, the DNA fingerprinting technique allowed us to identify deposition of semen and hairs at scenes of sexual assaults with a particular individual. So DNA has really changed the complexity of sexual assault investigations.
How is semen studied in CSI?
What evidence from the victim of a sexual assault is studied in CSI?
When a sexual assault occurs, the victim is brought to a medical facility where certain items of evidence are collected. Specifically vaginal swabs, anal swabs and oral swabs. In addition, the victim's pubic hair area is combed to collect any foreign hairs or debris that may be present. Collections are made of the head hair controls from the victim, as well as the pubic hair controls as well. Of course, all of the clothing from that victim is gathered up and sent to the crime lab. What's also important is a search for drugs. On some occasions, the victim may be drugged. By collecting blood and urine, the forensic toxicologist can look for the presence of these types of substances. And of course we can't forget DNA. We must have the DNA type of the victim, and this would be obtained through what we call a bugle swab. That is swabbing the inner surface of the cheek to collect cells that would ultimately be used to identify that victim's DNA.
What evidence from the suspect in a sexual assault is studied in CSI?
When should a victim of a sexual assault report the crime?
As quickly as possible. One of the problems that we have currently in terms of the science of forensics is the inability to detect drugs that are often used to induce a female into sexual activity. These drugs normally disappear from the human body within 24 hours. If we, we being the investigators, can collect urine or blood from the victim within 24 hours, the ability to detect those drugs may be lost.
