Virginia law allows healthcare providers to conduct telehealth sexual assault forensic examinations when in-person exams are unavailable, and ensures that evidence collected via telehealth is admissible in court. Law enforcement must promptly take possession of evidence kits collected during these examinations. The laws aim to facilitate timely evidence collection and maintain evidentiary integrity in sexual assault cases.
Yes, Virginia law permits telehealth sexual assault forensic examinations when a forensic examiner is not readily available for an in-person exam.
Yes, evidence collected during a telehealth sexual assault forensic examination is admissible, provided it meets general rules of evidence and was properly collected.
Law enforcement must be notified promptly when evidence kits are collected and must take possession of these kits immediately after notification.
The laws cover physical evidence recovery kits from sexual assault victims and trace evidence collection kits from victims of strangulation.