Forensics

Forensics unit can keep samples for year as rape victim decides on reporting crime

Forensic evidence deteriorates quickly — often within a week if the victim washes or showers. Therefore, international best practice advocates collection and secure storage of samples as soon as possible after the incident.

Until now, the alleged victims had to decide very quickly whether they would report the matter to gardaí or not. That was because, if they did, the sample taken by the country’s six sexual assault treatment units (SATUs) needed to be handed over to gardaí so it could be securely stored by the Garda Forensics Unit in Phoenix Park in Dublin.

Now, however, thanks to funding from the Department of Justice and the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, SATUs have the technology to store the evidence themselves for up to 12 months...