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

Minutes of Meeting of September 20, 2015
Office of the Chief State's Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

In attendance: Maureen Platt, Chairperson, Marielle Daniels, Candida Fusco, Joy Reho, Michelle Noehren, Jim Kenny, Denise Covington, Anna Fidyk, John Leventhal, Laura Cordes

The meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m.

Denise Covington updated the Commission regarding the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program. She stated that UConn has been added as a response location and reported that a second region is currently being established to expand the SAFE program into Southwestern Connecticut.

Anna Fidyk gave the report from the Bill Paying subcommittee. She reported that there has been a large increase in the number of forensic interview cases being handled by St. Francis Hospital since they have expanded the type of cases in which such an interview is being conducted. The fund established for this purpose may not be sufficient to cover these additional interviews.

It was agreed that an informal survey should be conducted to ascertain the types of cases in which forensic interviews are being utilized throughout the state.

A discussion was held about when evidence obtained through may be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

It was agreed that a Standing Subcommittee should be established by the Commission to periodically review the Technical Guidelines. Several members volunteered to serve on the subcommittee.

The meeting was adjoined at 4:30 p.m.