Timing of Evidence Collection After Pediatric Sexual Assault

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that collection of forensic evidence be considered for up to 72 hours after pediatric sexual assault, with the controversial caveat that “body swabs collected in prepubertal children >24 hours after a sexual assault are unlikely to yield forensic evidence.” Two recent retrospective studies challenge that caveat.

In one study, researchers reviewed 277 forensic evidence kits from children <13 years that were processed at a Houston crime lab during 2007 and 2008. Of 56 kits that tested positive for DNA, 14 were collected >24 hours after the assault; of these, 2 were collected more than 72 hours after. In 24 DNA-positive cases, DNA was recovered only from nonbody specimens (e.g., clothing, bedding). …