Kerala doctors get novel forensic kit for examining sexual assault survivors

For the first time in the country, the national health mission (NHM) has introduced a forensic evidence (Safe) kit for doctors in Kerala, which will help them in collecting all 13 prescribed samples in sexual assault cases.

The collection of all the prescribed samples is a necessary requirement in court.

Such a kit was introduced as the non-availability of forensic evidence usually weakened the prosecution in such cases. The kit will contain all materials to collect the necessary evidence during medical examination of female sexual assault survivors. The kits will be distributed on Tuesday, January 31.

“The new procedure has two purposes -to ensure that the collection of forensic evidence is complete in all respects so that the culprits get the punishment they deserve; it will also make easier for doctors to record findings of the medico-legal examination and help them face the questioning of defence lawyers confidently,” a senior health department official told The Times of India.

The ToI reports that all gynaecologists have been given training to use the kit since last December.

The kit enables the doctor who examines the survivors, to collect all the prescribed samples, which can be used as evidence in court. The samples include the survivor’s dress, breast swabs, pubic hair, vaginal and cervical smears, anal and oral swabs among other things reports ToI.