Whatcha got there?

Collaborative research project exploring STR and Y-STR DNA analysis

Julie Valentine MS, RN, CNE, SANE-A, BYU College of Nursing; Suzanne Miles, Chad Grundy, Rebekah Kay, Forensic Scientists, Utah Bureau of Forensic Services; Chris Macintosh RN, BSN, PhD Candidate, University of Utah
Methods
Retrospective review of 344 charts from the year 2010 196 variables were specied in SPSS From each chart, 143 variables were obtained from Sexual Assault Examination Form 54 variables were obtained from crime lab data for kits returned to crime lab Data analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics

Results Objectives
The objectives of this study were to: Determine percentage of collected sexual assault forensic examination kits brought to crime lab for analysis and percentage analyzed for STR and/or Y-STR DNA in 2010 Determine relationship of time between rape and evidence collection, and positive STR or Y-STR DNA ndings Determine if specic patient characteristics or actions, such as bathing, impacted positive DNA STR and/or Y-STR identication Out of 344 cases reviewed in 2010, 8.7% (30 cases) did not consent to forensic examination with evidence collection 29.2% (94 kits) of collected sexual assault forensic examination kits were brought by law enforcement to crime lab for analysis Time between rape and evidence collection did not appear to be a factor in law enforcement decision to bring a kit to crime lab for analysis as shown by the graph below:

Outliers:

Outlier cases indicate that newer DNA analysis methods can result in positive DNA proles. Case #1 Female patient seen for examination 70 hours after rape: Patient reported being kissed on the neck by suspect Patient had showered and changed clothes Crime lab found positive amylase ndings on neck swab Y-STR DNA prole was identied from neck swab that matched the suspect Case #2 Female patient seen for examination 58 hours after rape: Patient reported suspect ejaculated in her vagina, unknown condom use Patient had showered/bathed and removed/inserted a tampon after assault Crime lab found positive seminal uid ndings on vaginal swabs Y-STR and STR DNA proles were obtained from vaginal swabs that matched suspect

Background
Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) collect DNA evidence, forensic scientists analyze DNA evidence Interdisciplinary research is imperative to determine best practice guidelines for evidence collection and analyses Utah State Crime Lab began using advanced STR and Y-STR DNA analysis methods in March 2009 Research is needed to assess implications of these new DNA analysis methods on SANE evidence collection methods A primary study intention was to examine the impact of patients characteristics and suspects action on the positive identication of STR and Y-STR DNA using logistic regression Due to the low percentage of cases with DNA analysis completed logistic regression analysis was not possible As a result, descriptive characteristics of patients and suspects, kits returned to crime lab, and outlier cases with positive STR and Y-STR identication were analyzed

Time between assualt and exam in hours

If Code R Kit brought to crime lab or not

Implications
Additional cases from 2011 and 2012 need to be included in the study to allow logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between patients actions (such as showering) and time between rape and examination with positive DNA identication Additional, collaborative research projects are needed between forensic nurses and forensic scientists Implications for SANE practice: SANEs need a strong understanding of current STR and Y-STR DNA analysis methods to make best practice decisions when collecting evidence

Out of kits brought to crime lab for analysis, 43.6% (41 kits) underwent either STR or Y-STR DNA analysis or both 31 kits were tested for STR DNA and 24 kits were tested for Y-STR DNA STR DNA analysis yielded positive autosomal DNA prole in 87% (27 kits) of kits tested with this method. Y-STR DNA analysis yielded a positive Y-STR prole in 79% (19 kits) of kits tested with this method No relationship was found between if a patient bathed or showered and positive STR or Y-STR DNA identication, but this nding may not be signicant due to small sample size

BYU College of Nursing nursing.byu.edu

UTAH BUREAU OF FORENSIC SERVICES

SLSANE

Salt Lake Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

2013