| Evidence Recovery System (ERS)
The Evidence Recovery System, or ERS for short, is a special plug
with a fine filter in it which allows water to drain away from the bath or
shower but which collects very small particles and fibres that have been washed
off a person's body whilst they are in the bath or shower. Examples can be found
on the Deployed ERS and Images pages.
Fibres and particles are tiny
and can be anything from skin, hair, clothing, blood, grass, grit or a myriad of
other materials. They can come from the offender who has committed an assault
and/or the surrounding area where the assault took place.
The ERS is harmless, simple
and non-invasive. It can be used to collect evidence both from victims and
suspects who do not wish to consent to a full forensic examination.
How will it help?
The
Evidence Recovery System improves the quality of investigations and enhances
victim welfare.
Improve
the quality of investigations
Enhancing victim welfare
-
Psychological benefit by giving victims greater involvement in the early
stages of the investigative process.
-
Peace
of mind by giving victims the knowledge that all possible evidence has
been captured.
A victim,
washing in the bath or shower and letting all the water drain through the
filter in the ERS plug can collect DNA, fibres and particles that come off
the body.
(DNA,
fibres and particles have been collected in tests carried out by the UK
Forensic Science Service and the National Crime Scene Investigators Training
College)
Procedure
RED Plug - used as
a forensic control.
GREEN
Plug - placed in bath or shower outlet.
Victim/Suspect is invited to carefully wash hair and body all over using the
specially formulated hair/body wash provided.
During the
bathing process a sample of the water is taken.
Water
drains away through the strainer plug collecting any microscopic
particulates.
BLUE Plug - used
to rinse the bath or shower to collect any particulates which may have
adhered to the surfaces.
The plugs
are then placed in a tamper evident bag and stored in a freezer until
analysis can take place.
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