Sexual Assault Presentation

Using the standard definition of “forensic science” meaning “the application of science to the criminal and civil law that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system,1” Ms. St. Pierre and Detective Goff work together towards a common goal. In the thousands of cases of sexual assault that plague the streets of Boston every year, these two investigators from separate backgrounds come together to establish links and serve the people these incidents have effected. Evidence is processed both in the laboratory with the help of scientific technique and also out in the field, where the final say is made on whether to pursue these cases. Detective Goff and Ms. St. Pierre continuously work to ensure no stone is left unturned. These two different perspectives produce very different attitudes on the task at hand. From a scientific standpoint, Ms. St. Pierre offered an informative lecture about the different methods of identification of biological evidence used while processing a sexual assault crime, while Detective Goff offered a more hardened view on what happens to these cases in the outside world and how often they are pursued.

Ms. St. Pierre began her discussion with an overview of the fundamentals of criminalistics and serology, before moving into more depth. It can be used to identify these biological substances that are treated as evidence. The ultimate goal of evidence processing is to establish a link. There are many pieces to the puzzle both biologically and event-wise that fit in the scene. Beginning with examination, she stressed the importance of tests that range in levels of intimacy such as victim’s personal account, to examining the victim’s whole body. Every piece of evidence from the corroboration of the victim’s account to biological swab testing is vital when tying everything together and establishing a good case. When discussing the Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit, she explained how many things could be processed. She highlighted swabs and microscopic smear slides, which could be important for determining a timeline. She also mentioned blood, hair combings, fingernail scrapings and clothing as important pieces of evidence that must be processed. She even once described a time where she received an entire bag of hair as evidence. She claimed it was the oddest piece of evidence she ever received, but it would definitely help with biological examination. Once preserving items that are removed from the crime scene and/or victim, the evidence is then brought to the lab for identification towards the purpose of establishing the link.