ASTM_E_2124_-_15.pdf

Designation:E212415Standard Practice forSpecification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual AssaultInvestigations1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2124;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice describes the basic instruments used forthe medical-legal examination of victims or suspects,or both,in sexual assault investigations.These specifications are de-signed to be used in conjunction with other specifications,guides,and practices associated with sexual assault examina-tions that are listed in Section 2.1.2 Additional information can be found in TerminologyE1732,Guide E1843,Specification E2057,and PracticeE2123.1.3 This practice offers a set of instructions for performingone or more specific operations.This standard cannot replaceknowledge,skill,or ability acquired through appropriateeducation,training,and experience and should be used inconjunction with sound professional judgment.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic ScienceE1843 Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation,Examination,and Evidence CollectionE2057 Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory AnalysisRequests in Sexual Assault InvestigationsE2123 Practice for Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual As-sault Investigation3.Summary of Practice3.1 These specifications outline considerations when choos-ing equipment to be used in the medical-legal examination ofsexual assaults.The types of equipment listed should beincluded in any examination facility.Considerations for choos-ing a variation or optional equipment are also given.4.Instrumentation and Supplies4.1 The following instrumentation should be available atexamining facilities where sexual assault cases are received:4.1.1 SpeculumThe speculum is used to view the vaginalwalls and cervix.Clear plastic disposable specula are preferredbecause they allow the examiner to see through them andvisualize the vaginal walls.Metal specula do not allow thisvisibility and also may reflect light when taking photographs.Speculum illuminators which attach to the handle should beconsidered as an aid(as they assist)in visualizing the vaginalwalls and cervical area.4.1.2 ColposcopeThe colposcope is used to magnify andprovide increased visibility,especially in the vaginal areawhere structures include many folds and grooves of tissue.Theexaminer must deliberately examine each structure to deter-mine the presence or absence of injury or foreign material,orboth.The use of colposcopy has been shown to be critical inboth pediatric and adult sexual assault examinations.4.1.2.1 There are several varieties of colposcopes manufac-tured and each program should review numerous types toascertain the best instrument for their facility in view ofexisting equipment and physical layout of the examinationenvironment.4.1.2.2 The colposcope should have photographic or videocapability,as well as print capacity.The photographic or videocapability should be of sufficient resolution to adequatelyrecord and document the detail observed in the examination.(1)Appropriate digital storage media,and other suppliesnecessary for the type of photographic instrument must also bemaintained.(2)Cameras incapable of close-up photography,disposablecameras,or cameras,or a combination thereof,that produce“instant”photographs are generally not of sufficient quality towarrant consideration.4.1.3 Alternate Light SourcesAlternate light sources assistin the location,documentation and collection of dried stains,foreign debris,and subclinical bruising.The ultraviolet light(Woods lamp)is most often used and is considered basicequipment in a sexual assault physical examination.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on ForensicSciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.Current edition approved Jan.1,2015.Published January 2015.Originallyapproved in 2001.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E2124 10.DOI:10.1520/E2124-15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.1.3.1 Alternate light sources specifically designed for usein criminal investigation activities which have the capability ofilluminating