Sexual Violence and Evidence Collection

August 13, 2008: 2 pm – 4 pm (EDT)
Online event. Registration required, and free of charge.

This event is the second of four in the Series on Sexual Violence, sponsored by the Government Innovators Network and the National Institute of Justice. Additional event topics include sexual assault on college campuses, sexual violence and evidence collection, and a discussion about international policy. Ample time will be allocated for audience Q&A.

Those who register for this event will be notified as subsequent events are scheduled (approximately one per month June through September).

Federal legislation requiring states to fund "Jane Doe rape kits" will be enacted this coming year, a milestone that raises awareness of the need for careful and comprehensive evidence collection in sexual assault cases, and provides an excellent opportunity to reexamine best practices.

Law Enforcement officers play an important role in preserving the chain of evidence in sexual assault cases. Successful preservation requires that the officer works closely with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE).

This online event will examine how Law Enforcement can work with SANE nurses in order to collect sufficient evidence and provide quality care to the victim. The panel will discuss the importance of DNA collection and non-contamination, highlight legal considerations, and shed light on the "Jane Doe" legislation.

The discussion will be moderated by Sergeant Joanne Archambault, Executive Director for End Violence Against Women (EVAW) International. The panel includes:

Sergeant Jim Markey - Phoenix Police Department, Adult Sex Crime Unit
Jennifer Pierce-Weeks - SANE nurse; President-elect, International Association of Forensic Nurses
Roger Canaff - Deputy Chief, Sex Offender Management Unit, New York State Attorney General's Office

MORE INFORMATION
http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/spotlight.html?id=1421&preview=0