Effectiveness of a novel extraction method for semen: comparison using liquid samples and dried stains

Forensic analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) collected from sexual assault evidence is a multi-step process that requires a great amount of time and resources. A large percentage of samples are mixtures containing DNA from a major female contributor and at least one minor male contributor. The amount of male DNA present is often much less than that of the female, making it difficult to achieve a full short-tandem repeat (STR) profile for identification purposes. The current method employed by many forensic laboratories to separate sperm DNA from non-sperm DNA is the differential extraction. Although a robust and reliable method when applied to liquid samples, the procedure has failed to evolve significantly since first developed.1,2 Between the time it has been collected and tested, sexual assault evidence becomes dried and aged, contributing to the potential loss and degradation of already low amounts of DNA and increasing the likelihood of an incomplete profile.2 This study tests the effectiveness of a combination of enzymes to release DNA from sperm using a variety of substrates. Although this method extracted greater amounts of male DNA than the traditional Qiagen® extraction, further research is necessary to determine if the application of this new method can improve or eventually replace the current procedures.2018-06-16T00:00:00

HB 282 - Preservation of Sexual Assault Evidence

This Act extends the time that law enforcement agencies are required to preserve certain evidence of sexual assault. Physical evidence of a reported sexual assault will be preserved for fifty years, and if there is an arrest, for thirty years from the date of arrest or seven years from the sentence’s completion

Optimization of sperm DNA extraction utilizing a multi-enzyme technique and preliminary experiments for the development of a novel fluorescent stain for sperm nuclei

The examination and processing of sexual assault evidence within the forensic science community has presented many challenges. Sexual assault evidence is often submitted as a heterogeneous mixture that requires separation of cell types for further analysis. The utilization of differential extractions provides a separation technique based on structural differences between epithelial cells (E-cells) and spermatozoa. Differential extraction does not separate cell types completely, as there may be carry over in both fractions. A protocol using several proteases was designed to separate cell types, making use of structural differences between spermatozoa and epithelial cells. The purpose of this study included optimizing the protease extraction process to produce the greatest DNA yield with focus on the following variables: concentration of enzymes, concentration of semen, (plus/ minus) addition of the ZyGEM Buffer BLUE, addition of proteases together or separately at the start of the thermal cycler program, reduction of final reaction volume, and digestion time of both enzymes. When initiated, the total process to prepare DNA from sperm was 90 minutes; this time was reduced to 45 minutes. The protocol is capable of use over a wide range of semen concentrations; a final serial dilution including 9 concentrations ranging from 1:50 to 1:3200 was prepared with DNA extracted from each concentration. For this protocol to be further utilized the epithelial cell digest optimization is also needed. An additional concern when processing sexual assault evidence is the ability to locate spermatozoa quickly and efficiently after their separation from the evidentiary substrate. Of the numerous cytological and immunohistochemical staining protocols it is important to find a quick and efficient way to fluoresce sperm heads. The current fluorescent techniques require many wash steps with long incubation times. Using digitonin, tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP), and the thiol-reactive probe N-(7-Dimenthylamino-4-Methylcoumarin-3-yl)) Maleimide (DACM), a tentative protocol for fluorescently labeling sperm heads has been produced. Future work with this protocol will include optimization of the reagent concentrations, time of incubation, and sufficient control of sperm pelleting through the entirety of the procedure.2018-11-03T00:00:00

The Role of Administrative Procedures in Preventing the Backlog of Sexual Assault Evidence Kits

Across the nation, states are facing a large backlog of sexual assault evidence kits. Sexual assault evidence often sits in a police department or hospital for years without being tested. Public safety is diminished as criminal DNA is not tested and entered into CODIS. Victims have no sense of justice, and may lose confidence in the system. Without attention to the issue, the backlog will only continue to grow. As states have developed innovative and effective methods for addressing the backlog, their successes and failures have served as a base for others who are considering changes to avoid future backlogs. This study examined the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kit procedures in Kentucky and established four primary areas of concern: Funding, procedures, victim notification, and collaboration. States from across the nation were analyzed on one or more of these fronts to determine the best practices foraddressing the backlog of SAFE kits. While other states have made significant strides toward the elimination of the current backlog and the prevention of future backlogs, six states were analyzed in-depth: California, Texas, Utah, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. Based on the analysis of practices in these states, this paper provides suggestions as to the next steps for Kentucky policy makers and stakeholders in improving the state’s SAFE Kit tracking and testing structure

Non-Report Sexual Assault Evidence Program: Forging New Victim-Centered Practices in Texas

Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA

A Process Modeling Approach to Evaluating Worker Requirements for Sexual Assault Evidence Testing

In recent years, over 100,000 untested sexual assault kits (SAKs) have been discovered in the custody of law enforcement and awaiting testing at publicly funded facilities. The backlog has been attributed to law enforcement discretion and a lack of resources at testing facilities. In response to the backlog, states have adopted various policies for testing SAKs. 11 states have adopted comprehensive policies, mandating testing of all backlogged and incoming kits, in addition to annual inventories, updated tracking systems, and increased funding for testing programs. 30 states have adopted “limited” policies and 4 states have proposed policy reforms. This research attempts to develop a process-modeling approach to SAK testing through a case study with Monroe County Crime Laboratory (MCCL). A model was created using Simio, a discrete-event simulation software, to assess the current state of the testing process within the facility, which was then modified to analyze various staffing levels and relative demand levels probabilistically determined by uniform distribution. This experiment resulted in 15 acceptable scenarios, given the New York State 90-day testing mandate for incoming SAKs, and a number of policy recommendations. Based on this research, jurisdictions with extremely low demand (relative demand \u3c 3) are not recommended to assign full-time staff solely to SAK testing because all scenarios result in low worker utilization levels. There are also no scenarios which yields acceptable worker utilization for a staff of 10 or more full-time or full-time equivalent employees, assuming no change in resources or technology. Overall, process modeling is a useful tool for analyzing the allocation of resources and demand constraints for SAK testing facilities

Descriptive Analysis of Sexual Assault Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 2003-2004

This study examines the characteristics of sexual assault and sexual abuse of minor incidents reported to the Alaska State Troopers (AST), providing the first statewide overview of such cases. The sample utilized for the analysis included all sexual assault and sexual abuse of minor incidents reported from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004 and includes information from 989 reports, 1,903 charges, 1,050 suspects, 1,082 victims, and 771 witnesses. The descriptive analysis documents the characteristics of these reports, suspects, victims, incidents, and witnesses, and examines three legal resolutions: whether cases were referred for prosecution, whether cases were accepted for prosecution, and whether cases resulted in a conviction.National Institute of Justice Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice. Grant No. 2005-WG-BX-0011 Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant No. 2003-WR-BX-0210 and 2004-WF-AX-003Index of Tables and Figures / Acknowledgements / Executive Summary / Descriptive Analysis of Sexual Assault Incidents / Brief Overview of the State of Alaska / Brief Overview of Alaska State Troopers / Brief Overview of Sexual Assault / Sexual Assault Legislation in Alaska / PUrpose of this Study / Methodology / Report Characteristics / Suspect Characteristics / Victim Characteristics / Victim-Suspect Characteristics / Incident Characteristics / Witness Characteristics / Legal Resolutions / Appendix A - Additional Tables / Appendix B - Data Collection Instruments / Appendix C - 2004 Alaska Sexual Assault Law

Sexual Assaults Reported to Alaska State Troopers

Originally published in the Alaska Justice Forum 25 (1–2): 1, 6–9 (Spring-Summer 2008). This project was supported by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (Grant No. 2005-WB-GX-0011) and by the Violence Against Women Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice through the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Grant Numbers 2003-WR-BX-0210 and 2004-WF-AX-003). Points of view in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.This study examined 989 cases with a sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor charge reported to Alaska State Troopers in 2003 and 2004, and excluded any sexual assault cases reported to local or municipal departments. * Forty-eight percent of reports came from C Detachment (Western Alaska - Kodiak to Kotzebue), and 58% were reported from communities off the road system. * In 69% of cases, the identity of at least one suspect was known. While most suspects (87%) were adults, most victims (73%) were juveniles. Sixty-one percent of victims were Alaska Native and 38% were White. Intra-racial victimizations were much more prevalent than inter-racial victimizations. The most common suspect was a friend or acquaintance of the victim, followed by a relative. Forty-three percent of suspects and 27% of victims had used alcohol. * Sexual penetration occurred in 60% of assaults. Weapons were very rarely used. Most assaults occurred inside private residences. Nineteen percent of victims experienced general physical pain and 10% suffered bruising or swelling. Most victimizations were reported quickly to Troopers and Troopers were quick to respond. Ninety-six percent of victims were interviewed, with 48% interviewed on the day of the report and 80% interviewed within one week of the report. * Forty-six per cent of reported cases were referred for prosecution, 60% of referred cases were accepted for prosecution, and 80% of accepted cases resulted in a conviction. Overall, however, only 22% of reported cases resulted in a conviction. In some cases, the conviction may be for a non-sexual offense. The highest level of attrition occurred from report to referral