Evidence Collection: The ADA s s Evidence Collection: The ADA - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Evidence Collection: The ADA’ ’s s Evidence Collection: The ADA most formidable weapon. most formidable weapon. � All evidence, including vital testimony, is All evidence, including vital testimony, is � valuable in sex assault prosecution. valuable in sex assault prosecution. � Bu But, medical/physical evidence is often the most t, medical/physical evidence is often the most � compelling, particularly in “ “identity cases identity cases” ” where the where the compelling, particularly in perpetrator is unknown. perpetrator is unknown. � Medical/physical evidence can also be invaluable in Medical/physical evidence can also be invaluable in � acquaintance and/or “ “consent defense consent defense” ” cases, where cases, where acquaintance and/or the perpetrator is known. the perpetrator is known.

Physical Evidence: Most Physical Evidence: Most Commonly Utilized Forms Commonly Utilized Forms � Evidence that can be analyzed for DNA identification. Evidence that can be analyzed for DNA identification. � � Evidence of physical trauma, either genital or non Evidence of physical trauma, either genital or non- - � genital. genital. � Evidence that corroborates and support the victim Evidence that corroborates and support the victim’ ’s s � account of what happened. account of what happened. � Examples include recovery of surface materials like road Examples include recovery of surface materials like road � gravel, torn clothing, foreign objects, hair, carpet fibers, etc. . gravel, torn clothing, foreign objects, hair, carpet fibers, etc � All are gleaned from the victim All are gleaned from the victim’ ’s body as a crime scene. s body as a crime scene. �

Physical Evidence: What Physical Evidence: What Prosecutors Need Prosecutors Need � A clear, unbroken chain of custody for all A clear, unbroken chain of custody for all � physical evidence gleaned from the victim. physical evidence gleaned from the victim. � Absolute adherence to all written and/or Absolute adherence to all written and/or � accepted workplace protocols for forensic accepted workplace protocols for forensic professionals. professionals. � Utmost care when handling, labeling, Utmost care when handling, labeling, � transporting and storing evidence or evidence transporting and storing evidence or evidence containers of all types. containers of all types.

Physical Evidence: What Physical Evidence: What Prosecutors Need Prosecutors Need � Forensic/medical professionals who treat patients with Forensic/medical professionals who treat patients with � competence, professionalism and compassion, but who competence, professionalism and compassion, but who also maintain a sense of objectivity of objectivity while gleaning and while gleaning and also maintain a sense evaluating evidence from the victim’ ’s person. s person. evaluating evidence from the victim � Forensic/medical professionals who will cooperate with Forensic/medical professionals who will cooperate with � both prosecutors and defense attorneys as the case both prosecutors and defense attorneys as the case progresses, and be available for preparation and clear, progresses, and be available for preparation and clear, objective, expert and lay testimony as needed. objective, expert and lay testimony as needed.

What Forensic Examiners Should What Forensic Examiners Should Expect From Prosecutors Expect From Prosecutors � A willingness to learn about protocols, procedures and A willingness to learn about protocols, procedures and � techniques in person while prepping for trial. techniques in person while prepping for trial. � Clear and continuing communication as the case Clear and continuing communication as the case � progresses. progresses. � Complete, in Complete, in- -person preparation before being asked to person preparation before being asked to � testify as an expert, and constructive feedback testify as an expert, and constructive feedback afterward. afterward. � A sincere and competent effort to minimize the A sincere and competent effort to minimize the � intrusion on the witness’ ’ valuable time. valuable time. intrusion on the witness � A friendly, professional attitude. A friendly, professional attitude. �