Journal of Forensic Medicine

Are We Contaminating Victims in Sexual Assault Referral Centres?

Abstract

Lucy Love

DNA testing technology has rapidly advanced and is now so sensitive that it brings with it a risk of contamination, which could potentially lead to a miscarriage of justice. I reviewed environmental monitoring data from six SARCS (Sexual Assault Referral Centres) in the UK between 2013 and 2015 to assess contamination levels in the UK in line with new guidelines produced by the Forensic Regulator for the UK.