Journal de recherche médico-légale

Trace Evidence Analysis in a Child Sexual Abuse Case - Silence Dares to Speak

Abstract

Kanak Lata Verma \r\n

There is a dire need of identification of analytical techniques suitable for the detection of trace evidence especially in sexual assault cases. We report an alleged case of sexual assault of a four year old girl child in which a jelly/ cream could have been used as a lubricant and applied on her genital area. The samples taken from the child were deposited in an attempt to document the presence of traces of the jelly/cream involved. Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis allowed the identification of Petrolatum. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) confirmed the presence of Methyl Stearate. Results of this investigation are relevant in the context and strongly suggest that a jelly composition containing petrolatum and methyl stearate as ingredients was in fact applied to the genital area of the child and the presence of same was also confirmed on the undergarment of the child.

\r\n