Sexual violence: Evidence to be kept longer in Basel
Currently, swabs or clothing from victims of sexual crimes in Basel-Stadt are only kept for one year at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. This is set to change. Bern, for example, has a 15-year period for securing evidence.
Report from the cantonal police laboratory: The work of forensic investigators is explained using a case study.
Symbolic image archive: Dlovan Shaheri
The hurdles for victims to report an incident of sexual violence are often high. In addition, the framework conditions for criminal prosecution are not the same in all cantons.
In Basel-Stadt, people who have been subjected to sexual violence are examined by medical staff from the Institute of Legal Medicine (IRM) in Basel – depending on the gender of the person concerned – in the women’s hospital or, in an emergency at the USB, together with the treating doctors. Traces are secured for forensic genetic examinations and blood and urine samples are taken for forensic toxicological analyses.
Eva Scheurer, director of the Institute of Forensic Medicine Basel.
Image: zvg
While in Bern these exhibits are kept at the IRM for fifteen years, in Basel the period is just one year. “In cases where the police report is made, the retention period is already being extended at the request of the public prosecutor,” says Eva Scheurer, head of the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Basel.
Government has recognized the problem
Swabs and, if necessary, clothing items are stored at room temperature, while blood and urine samples are stored at -20°Celsius or -80°Celsius, either in special storage boxes, in lockable cabinets or in freezers. “After the storage period has expired, the traces and samples are disposed of in specially designed containers,” explains Scheurer.
The short storage period in Basel is causing discussions. Last week, the government responded to corresponding proposals from Barbara Heer (SP) and Melanie Nussbaumer (SP).
“A recent review of the currently limited space at the IRM showed that the storage period for evidence can now be extended to five years within a short period of time,” Scheurer confirmed when asked. This does involve additional costs, “on the one hand due to the necessary procurement of freezers, and on the other hand due to higher annual operating costs.” The government council wrote in its response that it is now considering changing the specified storage period. Nussbaumer refers to the “Bern model” in his proposal. Those affected can decide for or against reporting without any time pressure thanks to timely evidence collection without the obligation to report.
After moving, IRM has more space
When the IRM moves to its new location on Socinstrasse – probably in the first half of 2027 – the space and freezer capacity will also change, so that longer storage periods would also be possible in principle. “In principle, however, a longer storage period for traces and samples only seems sensible if it is guaranteed that an examination will still produce reliable results even after several years of storage,” says Scheurer.
This can be assumed for forensic genetic traces. “For blood and urine samples, however, this is unfortunately not sufficiently guaranteed, even when stored properly.” According to Scheurer, the reason for this is the degradation of substances, which cannot be completely prevented even in the sample containers outside the body. The reliability of the results is therefore not always the same when the analysis is delayed.
Availability of victim support must be expanded
The existing support services for victims could be improved in the future, says Scheurer. She is thinking of expanding the availability of victim support around the clock to provide early support, advice, support and protection for victims of sexual violence. This would require additional funding for victim support in both Basels. Victim support would welcome this. “The better the support victims receive, the more likely someone would be to take the step of reporting the crime,” says Beat John, head of victim support in both Basels.
In addition, awareness of the existing services for victims of sexual violence should be increased through appropriate information and communication campaigns. For example, everyone is entitled to free examination and support. Information on this has already been posted on the canton’s website.
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