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Medical & Neurobiological Literacy
Institutional Accountability
Network & Peer Mobilization
Evidence & Forensic Safeguards

NOT YOUR FAULT...

...but your responsibility. The current legal system is deeply flawed, and it routinely tries to shift the burden of proof onto the person who was harmed. By knowing how to preserve physical evidence and archive digital footprints, you are building an unshakeable shield around your peer’s story, locking their truth in stone so that no one can twist it or take it away from them.

FIRST & MOST CRITICAL STEP - BODILY EVIDENCE

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If you or someone you are supporting is preparing to go to a hospital or clinic for a sexual assault medical forensic exam (often called a "rape kit"), it is completely natural to want to clean up, but doing so can inadvertently destroy critical DNA and physical evidence.

To maximize the chances of preserving evidence,  try to follow these guidelines before the exam:

 

Avoid Personal Grooming and Washing

  • Do not shower, bathe, or douche: Washing can completely rinse away biological evidence and DNA.

  • Do not brush teeth, use mouthwash, or smoke: If there was any oral contact, these actions can destroy trace DNA.

  • Do not comb hair: Intact hairs or fibers from the assailant can easily be lost during grooming. 

 Limit Bathroom Use

  • Try not to urinate or use the restroom: If you/they suspect being drugged (drug-facilitated sexual assault), a urine sample collected at the hospital is the most effective way to catch those substances before they leave the body. See below for SANE locations in Massachusetts.

  • If you/they absolutely must go:  do not to wipe aggressively. If you/they have already changed underwear, they can press the under garments to their external genitalia or anus before using the restroom to capture any transferring fluids.

 

Handle Clothing and Bedding Safely

  • Do not change clothes if possible: It is best to wear the exact clothes worn during the assault directly to the exam. They should bring a spare change of clothes to wear home. 

  • Use paper bags, never plastic: If you/they have already changed out of the clothes worn during the assault, or if evidence is on bedsheets or towels, place each item individually into brown paper bags or a clean pillowcase. Never use plastic bags, as plastic traps moisture and creates condensation, which rapidly breeds mold and destroys DNA.

 

Preserve Digital Evidence

  • Save communications: Tell them not to delete any texts, emails, call logs, or social media messages between themselves and the perpetrator.

  • Take screenshots immediately: Take screenshots of profiles, messages, or posts. If they block the person on certain apps (like Instagram), the message history can disappear completely, so capturing screenshots beforehand is critical. [1, 2]

  • Document physical details: If safe to do so, they can use a phone to photograph visible bruising, scratches, or torn clothing.

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Visit the [RAINN Safety Guide](rainn.org "RAINN preserving evidence")

For Clothing and Bedding

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  • Handle with minimal touching: Touch the items as little as possible to avoid transferring your own DNA or wiping away evidence.

  • Air-dry if wet: If the clothing or bedding is damp with blood, sweat, or other fluids, let it air-dry completely at room temperature before packing it. Do not use a hair dryer or clothes dryer, as heat destroys DNA.

  • Pack each item separately: Put each individual piece of clothing, sheet, or towel into its own separate brown paper bag or clean paper envelope.

  • Seal with paper tape: Fold the top of the paper bag over and seal it with tape. Do not lick the adhesive on envelopes, as your saliva will contaminate the evidence.

  • Never use plastic: Avoid plastic grocery bags, Ziploc bags, or plastic bins. Plastic traps moisture, which causes mold to grow and rapidly destroys biological

For Digital Evidence

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  • Take screenshots: Screenshot all text messages, call logs, social media interactions, and photos immediately.

  • Export chat histories: Many messaging apps (like WhatsApp) allow you to export the entire chat history as a text file. Send this file to a secure email address.

  • Backup to the cloud: Upload the screenshots and photos to a secure, password-protected cloud drive (like Google Drive or iCloud) so they cannot be accidentally deleted or lost if the phone is damaged.

  • Preserve the device: If the phone itself contains critical evidence, try to keep it turned on, charged, and locked in a secure place until it can be handed over to professionals.

NEXT STEP - GET TO A MASSACHUSETTS "SANE" HOSPITAL

Under the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs are embedded within specific designated hospitals.

SANE-Equipped Hospitals (Southeastern MA/Boston Area Region)

  • Good Samaritan Medical Center (Brockton, MA) | Comprehensive 24/7 emergency medical care and forensic evidence collection.

  • South Shore Hospital (South Weymouth, MA) | Dedicated trauma center providing emergency contraception, preventative STI care, and SANE kit collection.

  • Sturdy Memorial Hospital (Attleboro, MA) | Fully certified regional provider for trauma-informed acute care and forensic processing.

  • Boston Medical Center / Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston Metro) | Major teaching institutions with 24/7 dedicated victim-advocacy and SANE specialty teams.

Resources

Direct resources to come

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