Universities have been warned not to promote self-testing “rape kits” to students over fears that they risk contaminating evidence and deny victims proper care.
The service, which is available in the US but unregulated, allows victims of rape or sexual assault to swab themselves and send it off to a laboratory?to test for the DNA of a perpetrator.?
Students on UK university campuses?have been given these kits in recent months, .
The Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) has written to vice-chancellors of all universities in England and Wales to express concern about the promotion and distribution of such kits.
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It says that the FFLM, which is recognised as the authoritative body in this area, has not been involved nor approved any of the products – and neither has any other recognised forensic or healthcare authority.
Experts are concerned that self-swabbing carries an inherent risk of contamination through use of inappropriate techniques of collecting DNA evidence.
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The FFLM says that false reassurance about such kits being approved and helpful in the aftermath of a sexual assault risks undermining criminal investigations.
And it warns that only relying on such products denies vulnerable people the suicide risk assessment and safeguarding they need from professionals.
The FFLM has urged universities to direct students to Sexual Assault Referral Centres instead, where they can receive appropriate, expert care and forensic examination.
The FFLM and other professional and regulatory bodies say they are firmly opposed to the?use of the kits. In the letter, they warn that the problems with self-swab kits could “compound any suffering experienced”.
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FFLM president Alex Gorton said: “We applaud any organisation that is interested in reducing sexual violence and addressing its aftermath.
“However, companies marketing ‘self-testing’ kits must ensure survivors are not misled by claims that such kits can replace professional forensic and medical care.”
The FFLM also said there was no evidence that the availability of self-swab kits deters sexual violence.
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