Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Collection Practices in Tertiary Hospitals in Anambra State

The effective collection and preservation of forensic evidence following sexual assault is essential to successful prosecution of perpetrators and the delivery of justice to survivors. This study examines the practices and challenges associated with sexual assault forensic evidence collection in three tertiary hospitals in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used, collecting data through structured interviews with twenty healthcare professionals including gynaecologists, nurses, and medical laboratory scientists, and review of forty sexual assault case files from 2020 to 2024. The study assesses the availability of sexual assault forensic examination kits, staff training levels, and the quality of evidence documentation. Findings reveal that standardised sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) protocols are not implemented in any of the surveyed hospitals, and that evidence collection is frequently delayed by more than twelve hours due to administrative bottlenecks. DNA evidence is rarely preserved in conditions meeting forensic chain of custody requirements. The study also notes that survivors often receive inadequate psycho-legal support, further undermining case prosecution. Recommendations include the adoption of a state-wide sexual assault response protocol, the procurement of standardised examination kits, and training programmes for healthcare workers in medico-legal evidence collection. Keywords: sexual assault, forensic evidence, tertiary hospitals, Anambra State, SANE protocol.