Safe kit for doctors to ensure evidence in sexual assault cases

In a first in the country, National Health Mission (NHM) has introduced a forensic evidence (safe) kit for Kerala doctors, which will help them collect all 13 prescribed samples in cases of sexual assault. It is mandatory for physicians to collect all prescribed samples and submit in the court. 
 

In most cases, doctors fail to collect all specified samples, non-availability of which weakens prosecution in such situations. The forensic evidence kit contains various materials necessary to collect significant evidence from the sexual assault survivors during the medical examination. 
 

With the new evidence, the prosecution can make sure that the culprits will not escape law merely owing to lack of evidence. The kit ensures that collection of forensic evidence is complete and makes the process easy for doctors. "They can record the findings of medical examination easily which will help them face the questions of defence lawyers with confidence," a health department official said. 
 

All gynaecologists in government service are given the training to use the kit. With the kit, doctors will be able to collect as many samples as possible from the body of a survivor, in a prescribed format. Prior to examination, the medical officer will have to seek the consent of survivor.
 

After completing documentation procedures, doctors will have to collect the clothes worn by the survivor and keep it in a sealed cover. Of the 13 samples, mandatory ones are breast swabs, vaginal and cervical smears, pubic hair, oral and anal swabs. Each of these samples is to be collected in separate self-sealing covers, which are provided along with the kit. 
 

• sexual assault
• safe kit for doctors
• forensic evidence safe kit
• gynecologists
• medical examination in sexual assault cases