WISCONSIN STATE CRIME LABORATORY BUREAU
MEDICAL-FORENSIC EVIDENCE COLLECTION KIT INSTRUCTIONS
(For Hospital Personnel)
Evidence collection should be determined by assault history and examination findings on a case-by-case
basis. This kit contains only the items necessary for the collection of samples/evidence required by the
Crime Laboratory. It can be used to collect appropriate samples from both male and female victims and
suspects. This kit can also be used as a “Biological Standards” kit. Do not chemically fix or stain slides,
and do not make the sample on the slide greater than the size of a nickel. A slide with a designated circle
could also be used. Swabs and slides should be allowed to air dry as long as possible prior to packaging.
Items required by the hospital for routine laboratory tests are not included. These items should be drawn
from hospital stock and recovered after the Crime Laboratory’s samples are taken. The collector should
wear gloves and change them frequently during the collection of evidence. If the collector is coughing or
sneezing, a mask should be worn. If you have any questions about this kit or the recovery of physical
evidence, please contact the Crime Laboratory 24 hours per day at 608-266-2031 or 414-382-7500.
SUMMARY OF SAMPLES THAT CAN BE
COLLECTED USING THIS KIT
STEP 1 WI Crime Lab Information Sheet
STEP 2 Pre-void External Genital Wipe
STEP 3 Optional Toxicology
STEP 10 Dried Secretions
STEP 11 Pubic Hair Combings
STEP 12 Pubic Hair Standards or Mons Pubis
Swabs
STEP 4 Oral Swabs, Smear & Floss
STEP 13 External Genital Swabs
STEP 5 Buccal Cell Standard (DNA)
STEP 14 Vaginal Swabs & Smear
STEP 6 Fingernail Evidence
STEP 15 Cervical Swabs & Smear
STEP 7 Clothing
STEP 16 Penis Swab
STEP 8 Skin to Skin Contact
STEP 17 Anal Swabs & Smear
Step 9 Debris
STEP 18 WI Crime Lab Evidence Collection
Sheet/Inventory
**Note: Sample envelopes are self-sealing. Do not lick the envelopes to seal them.
STEP 1 WI CRIME LAB INFORMATION SHEET
Fill out all information requested on form. The examining medical professional should sign and date the
form where indicated. (Please note if the patient is known to have had a vasectomy or is a bone marrow
recipient.)
STEP 2 PRE-VOID EXTERNAL GENITAL WIPE
Instruct the patient to wipe the genital area with the 4 X 4 gauze prior to voiding. Once gauze is Air
Dried, return it to the envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on the envelope.
STEP 3 OPTIONAL TOXICOLOGY: Collect samples only if date rape drugs are suspected of
being ingested, e.g., the victim lost consciousness or had significant periods of unexplainable
memory loss. If a drug facilitated sexual assault is suspected, all toxicology samples should be sent
to the WI Crime Laboratory for analysis.
BLOOD SAMPLE: Fill a 10ml gray-top tube (or similar) with blood. Toxicology blood samples should
be collected within 24 hours of suspected ingestion.
URINE SAMPLE: Do not void the bladder prior to urine collection. Collect from the patient according
to hospital protocol. Fill a 10ml gray-top tube (or suitable urine container) with the collected urine.
Urine samples should be collected within four (4) days of suspected ingestion.
The WI State Laboratory of Hygiene OUI Kit is the preferred biological mailing container. Seal samples
and place each inside a sealed plastic bag to retain any leakage. Place in appropriate biological mailing
container to protect the samples from breakage. DO NOT PLACE THESE SAMPLES IN THE KIT
BOX. Fill out all information requested on label. Affix the label to the appropriate biological mailing
container. DO NOT SEND THESE SAMPLES TO THE STATE LABORATORY OF HYGIENE,
SEND TO THE WI CRIME LABORATORY.
STEP 4 ORAL SWABS (2), SMEAR (1) & FLOSS (collect only if oral-genital contact occurred)
Unwaxed dental floss can be used for the areas between the teeth. Have the patient floss his/her own
teeth using a minimal amount of floss. (Note: The goal is to maximize the potential evidence on a small
area of floss.) Also, using two (2) swabs simultaneously, thoroughly swab the oral cavity, especially the
area between the patient’s cheeks and gums. Immediately prepare a smear using both swabs
simultaneously. Allow swabs (2) and smear (1) to thoroughly Air Dry.
Return the smear to the slide holder and snap shut. Place both swabs in swab box and then check off the
appropriate box on swab box. Place swab box and slide holder in envelope. Have patient place floss in
the envelope also. Seal and fill out all information requested on envelope.
STEP 5 BUCCAL CELL STANDARD (DNA)
Have the person providing the sample rinse his or her mouth with water before collecting the sample.
Using one swab, place the swab in solid contact with the inner cheek and gum surface during sampling.
Gently move the cotton tipped swab in and out five or six times, rotating the swab while rubbing. Repeat
this process with the second swab on the other inner cheek and gum surface.
Note: Do not collect from the teeth or along the edges of the teeth. The goal is to collect as many cells
from the inside cheek as necessary. These cells contain the DNA for testing purposes. The buccal cell
standard should be collected if any other samples have been collected.
Place the swabs in the swab box to dry. Do not let the cotton tip of the swab touch anything except the
swab box. Allow both swabs to thoroughly Air Dry. Return the swab box to the envelope. Seal the
envelope and fill out all information requested on the envelope.
STEP 6 FINGERNAIL EVIDENCE
The swabbing of the fingernails for each hand should be performed over one of the sheets of collection
paper provided. Unfold the paper and collect fingernail swabs over the paper as to catch any loose debris
that falls during the collection process. Potential evidence under an individual’s fingernails or on an
individual’s finger tips should be recovered by swabbing with a tapered cotton swab moistened with
distilled water. A second dry swab should be used to collect any moisture remaining after having
swabbed with the first moist swab. After swab collection is complete, carefully re-fold the paper. Each
hand should be done individually using this process. The swabs should be Air Dried, placed in the
appropriate swab box provided, and returned to the envelope, along with the folded collection paper. Seal
and fill out all information on the envelope.
STEP 7 CLOTHING
Have the patient undress while standing on two (2) pieces of examination table paper. As each article of
clothing is removed, it should be placed in a new, clean paper bag. A separate paper bag should be used
for each article of clothing. Carefully fold the examination table paper that the patient undressed over and
place it in a separate paper bag as well. Do not collect the examination table paper that touches the floor.
Label each paper bag with the item collected. Seal (no staples), date and initial each paper bag collected.
STEP 8 SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT
Examples of skin to skin contact may be strangulation, grabbing, scratching. Skin cells should be
collected by gently swabbing or rolling the contact area with a cotton tipped swab moistened with
distilled water. A second dry swab should be used to collect any moisture remaining on the body after
having swabbed with the first moist swab. The swabs should be Air Dried, placed in the swab box
provided, and returned to the envelope. Label the envelope as to what body area the swabs were collected
from. Seal and fill out all information on the envelope. (Note: The goal is to maximize the potential
evidence on as few swabs as possible.)
STEP 9 DEBRIS
Any foreign debris such as hairs, vegetation or fibers should be collected and placed in the envelope
labeled Debris. Label the envelope as to what body area the debris was found. Place debris from
different locations in separate envelopes. Seal and fill out all information on the envelope.
STEP 10 DRIED SECRETIONS
Examples of dried secretions may be saliva on a bite mark or area kissed or licked and dried blood. Also,
if bite marks are noted on the patient’s body, contact the Crime Laboratory for specific instructions for
photographic documentation.
Dried secretions should be collected by gently swabbing or rolling contact area with a cotton tipped swab
moistened with distilled water. A second dry swab should be used to collect moisture remaining on the
body after having swabbed with the first moist swab. The swabs should be Air Dried, placed in the swab
box provided, and returned to the envelope. Label the envelope as to what body area the swabs were
collected. Seal and fill out all information on the envelope. (Note: The goal is to maximize the potential
evidence on as few swabs as possible.)
STEP 11 PUBIC HAIR COMBINGS
Place the paper towel provided under the pubic region of the patient and comb through the entire area to
dislodge any foreign hairs or other material that may be present. Place the used comb onto the paper and
fold the paper around the comb being careful not to lose any of the dislodged evidence. Place the
wrapped comb in the Pubic Hair Combings envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on
envelope. Pubic hair containing a large amount of material/substance may be cut and collected. If the
patient does not have pubic hair, still collect Step 12 Pubic Hair Standards or Mons Pubis swabs.
STEP 12 PUBIC HAIR STANDARDS OR MONS PUBIS SWABS
Note: The victim/suspect may collect his/her own pubic hair standards as long as he/she follows the
procedures described below and is supervised by medical personnel.
Obtain at least twenty (20) hairs by cutting them at the skin surface. The hairs should be collected from
various areas within the pubic region. Place the hairs in the paper fold and then insert into the Pubic Hair
Standards envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on envelope. If the patient does not have
pubic hair, swab the mons pubis. The sample should be collected by gently swabbing or rolling area with
a cotton tipped swab moistened with distilled water. A second dry swab should be used to collect
moisture remaining on the mons pubis area after having swabbed with the first moist swab. The swabs
should be Air Dried, placed in the swab box provided, and returned to the envelope. Seal and fill out all
information on the envelope. (Note: The goal is to maximize the potential evidence on as few swabs as
possible.)
STEP 13 EXTERNAL GENITAL SWABS
Swab the entire external genital area. This sample should be collected by gently swabbing or rolling area
with a cotton tipped swab moistened with distilled water. A second dry swab should be used to collect
moisture remaining on the external genital area after having swabbed with the first moist swab. The
swabs should be Air Dried, placed in the swab box provided, and returned to the envelope. Seal and fill
out all information on the envelope. (Note: The goal is to maximize the potential evidence on as few
swabs as possible.)
STEP 14 VAGINAL SWABS (4) AND SMEAR (1)
Using four (4) swabs simultaneously, thoroughly swab the vaginal vault making sure to coat all four (4)
swabs completely. Immediately prepare one smear using all four swabs simultaneously. Do not
chemically fix or stain slides. Allow swabs (4) and smear (1) to thoroughly Air Dry.
Return smear to slide holder and snap shut. Place all four swabs in swab box and the check off
appropriate box on swab box. Return swabs and smear to envelope. Seal and fill out all information
requested on envelope.
STEP 15 CERVICAL SWABS (2) AND SMEAR (1)
This sample should be taken from the cervical os. Using one swab at a time gently insert the cotton tip of
the swab into cervical os and rotate swab. Immediately prepare one smear using both swabs. Do not
chemically fix or stain slides. Allow swabs (2) and smear (1) to thoroughly Air Dry.
Return smear to slide holder and snap shut. Place both swabs in swab box and then check off appropriate
box on swab box. Return swabs and smear to envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on
envelope.
STEP 16 PENIS SWABS
When collecting penile swabs, the entire external area of the penis should be swabbed. Care should be
taken to avoid the area around the urethral opening. Swabs of the penis should be collected by gently
swabbing or rolling entire penis with a cotton tipped swab moistened with distilled water. A second dry
swab should be used to collect moisture remaining on the penis after having swabbed with the first moist
swab. The swabs should be Air Dried, placed in the swab box provided, and returned to the envelope.
Seal and fill out all information on the envelope.
STEP 17 ANAL SWABS (2) AND SMEAR (1)
Swab the entire external anal area. This sample should be collected by gently swabbing or rolling area
with a cotton tipped swab moistened with distilled water. A second dry swab should be used to collect
moisture remaining on the body after having swabbed with the first moist swab. Immediately prepare one
smear using both swabs. Do not chemically fix or stain slides. Allow swabs (2) and smear (1) to
thoroughly Air Dry.
Return smear to slide holder and snap shut. Place both swabs in swab box and then check off appropriate
box on swab box. Return swabs and smear to envelope. Seal and fill out all information requested on
envelope.
If a rectal assault occurred, collect swabs from the rectal canal. Step 10 Dried Secretions envelope should
be used and labeled as Rectal Swabs. This sample should be collected by swabbing with cotton tipped
swabs moistened with distilled water. The swabs should be Air Dried, placed in the swab box provided,
and returned to the envelope. Seal and fill out all information on the envelope.
STEP 18 WI CRIME LAB EVIDENCE COLLECTION SHEET/INVENTORY FORM
Please include a copy of your Evidence Collection Sheet/Inventory form with the kit prior to sealing. If
you do not have one, please complete the “Wisconsin Crime Lab Evidence Collection Sheet/Inventory”
provided. Note: Please do not place uncollected sample envelopes in the kit box prior to sealing.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
After the kit specimens have been collected, air dried and packaged, return to kit box. Fill out all the
information on the front of the kit and affix the biohazard label and evidence seals where indicated on the
kit box top. The evidence collection kit can be stored at room temperature. The Optional Toxicology
Samples must be refrigerated. Both kits should be properly stored until submission to the WI State
Crime Laboratory.