Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations

Minutes - December 12, 2011

Members in attendance: Maureen Platt, Chair, Patti LaMonica, Bob Allensworth, Marielle Daniels, Denise Covington, Michelle Noehren, John Leventhal, M.D., Laura Cordes, Linda Cimino

The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m.

Denise Covington gave an update on the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner/Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SAFE/SANE) program. She reported that the SAFE program is up and running and has treated 156 patients. Deb Rubio has been appointed the Clinical Coordinator. Several trainings have been conducted for health care professionals including a training on how to use the new digital camera system. A special consent form for photos is being developed and will be distributed to Commission members on the next meeting date. Funding for the program expires in February 2013, but efforts are underway to secure continued funding.

The Bill Paying Subcommittee also reported. Three different levels of funding are being proposed by the subcommittee to compensate health care facilities for examinations of victims.

The Commission also discussed an issue that has arisen dealing with anonymous kits. Currently, the regulations require that the kits be given to the police department where the hospital is located rather than the location of the sexual assault. This has resulted in a large number of kits being given to the police departments of large city hospitals instead of the local law enforcement agency where the assault occurred. A discussion was held as to whether this regulation should be changed so allow the anonymous kits to be given to the agency where the assault occurred. This matter will be again discussed at the next Commission meeting.

Members were asked to email possible items for discussion for next year’s meeting and to suggest a gynecologist to serve on the Commission.

The meeting dates for the 2012 year are as follows:

• March 12, 2012, from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, 300 Corporate Place, Rocky Hill
• June 18, 2012, from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Office of Victim Services, 225 Spring St., Rocky Hill
• September 24, 2012, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, 300 Corporate Place, Rocky Hill
• December 10, 2012, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, 300 Corporate Place, Rocky Hill

The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.