CFN Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SANE) Practice 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Within what time frame after a sexual assault is evidence collection considered most effective for DNA recovery?
- 24 hours
- 72 hours (Correct answer)
- 120 hours
- 7 days
Correct answer: 72 hours
Evidence collection is most effective within 72 hours of a sexual assault, though many protocols extend the window to 120 hours in some jurisdictions.
Question 2: When conducting a sexual assault forensic examination, what should the SANE do FIRST after the patient's immediate medical needs are addressed?
- Photograph all injuries
- Obtain informed consent for the examination (Correct answer)
- Collect clothing as evidence
- Contact law enforcement
Correct answer: Obtain informed consent for the examination
Informed consent must be obtained before beginning any forensic examination, as patients retain the right to consent or decline each component.
Question 3: Which chain of custody action is required when transferring a sexual assault evidence kit to law enforcement?
- Verbal handoff only is sufficient
- A signed, dated receipt documenting transfer (Correct answer)
- Photographing the kit before transfer
- Notifying the hospital administrator
Correct answer: A signed, dated receipt documenting transfer
A signed and dated receipt must be obtained at every transfer point to maintain an unbroken chain of custody admissible in court.
Question 4: A sexual assault patient declines to report to police but wants a forensic examination. What is the appropriate SANE response?
- Refuse the examination until police are notified
- Perform the examination and store the kit per anonymous reporting protocol (Correct answer)
- Discard the evidence kit after examination
- Contact police without the patient's consent
Correct answer: Perform the examination and store the kit per anonymous reporting protocol
Many states allow anonymous or blind reporting where the kit is stored for a period, allowing the patient time to decide about reporting.
Question 5: Which anatomical documentation tool is standard for recording injury patterns during a sexual assault examination?
- Narrative text only
- Body diagram/anogenital diagram with written description (Correct answer)
- Verbal recording alone
- A self-reported pain scale
Correct answer: Body diagram/anogenital diagram with written description
Standardized body diagrams with written descriptions accurately map injury location, type, and size for medical-legal documentation.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the colposcope during a sexual assault forensic examination?
- To collect blood specimens
- To magnify and photograph anogenital injuries for documentation (Correct answer)
- To measure wound depth
- To assess cervical dilation
Correct answer: To magnify and photograph anogenital injuries for documentation
The colposcope provides magnification and photo documentation of subtle anogenital injuries that may not be visible to the naked eye.
CFN Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SANE) Practice 1
Within what time frame after a sexual assault is evidence collection considered most effective for DNA recovery?