title: Biological Evidence Management for DNA Analysis in Cases of Sexual Assault.
abstract: Biological evidence with forensic interest may be found in several cases of assault, being particularly relevant if sexually related. Sexual assault cases are characterized by low rates of disclosure, reporting, prosecution, and conviction. Biological evidence is sometimes the only way to prove the occurrence of sexual contact and to identify the perpetrator. The major focus of this review is to propose practical approaches and guidelines to help health, forensic, and law enforcement professionals to deal with biological evidence for DNA analysis. Attention should be devoted to avoiding contamination, degradation, and loss of biological evidence, as well as respecting specific measures to properly handle evidence (i.e., selection, collection, packing, sealing, labeling, storage, preservation, transport, and guarantee of the chain custody). Biological evidence must be carefully managed since the relevance of any finding in Forensic Genetics is determined, in the first instance, by the integrity and quantity of the samples submitted for analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Forensic Sciences Center (CENCIFOR), Coimbra, Portugal ; Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (IINFACTS), Department of Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, Gandra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Forensic Sciences Center (CENCIFOR), Coimbra, Portugal ; Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (IINFACTS), Department of Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, Gandra, Portugal ; UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ricardo Jorge
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Dinis-Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Benedita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Forensic Sciences Center (CENCIFOR), Coimbra, Portugal ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corte-Real
authors.affiliation: Forensic Sciences Center (CENCIFOR), Coimbra, Portugal ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Duarte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nuno Vieira
mesh_terms: D059018:DNA Contamination; D053803:Forensic Genetics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards