National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach

The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting Act, is focused on the accurate, timely, and effective collection and processing of DNA evidence in sexual assault investigations. In support of these efforts, the National Institute of Justice has released a set of best practices in response to the community’s needs.  The recommendations emphasize the use of collaborative, victim-centered, and multidisciplinary approaches to improve evidence collection and preservation, increase consistency and provide uniformity for the prioritization and transferal of evidence, enhance laboratory process efficiencies for DNA testing, and advance investigative practices and agency protocols for evidence inventory, tracking and audits, and communication systems.