This three-part "Beyond DNA In-Brief" series addresses types of physical evidence that can provide critical information about a sexual assault.
Part one of this three-part series is entitled, "Beyond DNA: The Role of Physical Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations." It highlights the role physical evidence plays in sexual assault investigations, since DNA evidence, although valuable, is not always probative or present in every case. This first part of the series identifies the types of physical evidence that can be important in sexual assault investigations. In addition to DNA, other types of physical evidence include physical injuries, such as bruising and lacerations; toxicological evidence; digital evidence, such as text messages, emails, and cellphone records; biological fluids, such as saliva and semen; impression evidence, such as fingerprints and shoeprints; trace evidence, such as hairs, and fibers; and other crime-scene items, such as bedding and clothing. The second part of the series is entitled, "Beyond DNA: The Role of Biological Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations." It illustrates the impact of biological evidence in sexual assault cases beyond DNA analysis; provides an overview of biological-evidence processing techniques in sexual assault investigations; identifies limitations in current processing methods; and provides examples of current NIJ-funded forensic biology research applicable to sexual assault investigations. The third report in the series is entitled, "Beyond DNA: the Impact of Toxicological Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations." It includes an overview of analytical toxicology analysis techniques used to identify drugs and poisons in blood, urine, and hair samples.