NCJ Number
37151
Journal
Victimology Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (SUMMER 1976) Pages: 337-341
Date Published
1976
Length
5 pages
Annotation
HOUSTON (TX) HOSPITALS, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND POLICE, HAVE DEVELOPED A RAPE EVIDENCE PACKET TO STANDARDIZE THE COLLECTION, ROUTING, AND ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Abstract
LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COSTS AND ASSEMBLAGE OF LABORATORY CONTAINERS COMPILED IN AN EVIDENCE PACKET; TRANSMISSION OF THIS PACKET TO MEDICAL FACILITIES AND PRIVATE PHYSICIANS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY; AND ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIMENS COLLECTED. EACH PACKET CONTAINS AN INSTRUCTIONAL SHEET, EXAMINATION FORM, AND SMALL PLASTIC ENVELOPE SPECIMEN CONTAINERS. THE MEDICAL REPORT FORMS, WHICH STRESSES THAT THE PHYSICIAN SHOULD EXAMINE THE VICTIM FOR TRAUMA ON ALL PARTS OF THE BODY, CONTAINS SECTIONS FOR A BRIEF HISTORY, FINDINGS OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION, SPECIFIC LABORATORY SPECIMENS COLLECTED, AND AUTHORIZATION FOR COLLECTION AND RELEASE OF EVIDENCE. USE OF THESE PACKETS HAS LED TO INCREASED GUILTY PLEAS AND DECREASES IN RAPE CASES DISMISSED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)