Evidence Collection & Submission Manual – CFS Evidence Submission Guidelines – Proper Collection of Sexual Assault Evidence
Proper Collection of Sexual Assault Evidence
- Sexual assault kits do not require additional outer packaging.
- Sexual assault kits should never be packaged in plastic.
- Articles of clothing should be packaged separately. Do NOT put items packaged separately into one larger bag.
- Do NOT package photos or CDs with photos in packaging with the sexual assault evidence collection kits or any other evidence.
- Do NOT package blood or urine specimens in the sexual assault kits.
The NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS) is responsible for storing sexual offense evidence collection kits (SOECKs) that have not been released to law enforcement (unreported kits). Public Health Law requires the state to store kits for 20 years. This gives victims of crime and survivors of sexual assault the additional time they may need to decide whether to report the crime and request that OVS release their kit to law enforcement for testing or consider other options. To learn more visit Sexual Offense Kits | Office of Victim Services