Factors of Thackeray et al Affecting Collection of DNA Evidence Following Acute Pediatric Sexual Assault

Description

Thackeray et al evaluated factors affecting the ability to collect perpetuator DNA from a pediatric patient who has been sexually assaulted. The authors are from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

Patient selection: pediatric patient <= 20 years of age following acute sexual assualt

Factor	Favorable	Unfavorable
bathing since assault	not done	multiple times or complete
clothing worn by the patient during the assault	still being worn	not available
linens from scene	available and unwashed	not available or thoroughly washed
patient’s acute anogenital findings	abnormal
perpetuator ejaculation	occurred	wore condom
perpetuator’s age	> 18 years of age
perpetuator’s genital contact	with genitals or anus
time since assault	<= 24 hours	> 72 hours

While classic types of evidence may be best collected as soon as possible after the assault, DNA evidence can persist for some time if on clothing or linens. Although the chances of collecting evidence from the subject after 24 hours are reduced, an exam should be performed up to 72 hours after the event.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10