In this Bell Work Talk, Dr. Jamie Lewis Saye discusses her team’s pilot study comparing blind swab and speculum-assisted evidence collection during sexual assault forensic medical examinations. She highlights how both methods yield similar rates of Y-screen positivity and CODIS-eligible DNA profiles, underscoring the potential of less invasive approaches to improve survivor participation in evidence collection while maintaining forensic integrity.

Dr. Jamie Lewis Saye, DNP, CNM, APRN, SANE-A, is an Assistant Professor in the Wellstar School of Nursing at Kennesaw State University and Clinical Director of the SAFE Center. A certified nurse-midwife and experienced Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Dr. Saye brings over a decade of experience in forensic nursing, trauma-informed care, and interdisciplinary community-academic collaboration.

Her research focuses on strengthening forensic evidence collection practices, advancing survivor-centered policies, and improving health and legal outcomes for victims of violence. Dr. Saye recently led a multi-site pilot study across 13 sexual assault centers in the Southeastern U.S. that compared blind swab and speculum-assisted vaginal/cervical specimen collection methods. These findings inform both clinical training and policy, supporting survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches in forensic nursing practice.

Resources:

Saye, J. L., et al. (2025). From Kit to CODIS: Comparing DNA Profile Yields from Blind Swabs and Speculum-Guided Collection. [Manuscript in development / forthcoming publication]

Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). (2024). National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations: Adults/Adolescents (3rd ed.).

Campbell, R., Javorka, M., Gregory, K., Vollinger, L., & Ma, W. (2021). The Right to Say No: Why Adult Sexual Assault Patients Decline Medical Forensic Exams and Sexual Assault Kit Evidence. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 17(1), 3-14.

RAINN (2025). Sexual Assault Statistics. https://www.rainn.org/statistics

Survey:

We’d really like to learn more about what you think of the podcast, and what you’d like to hear in future episodes.

https://forms.gle/dos4a11PEmCgth7Z8

Warning:

Mentions of sexual assault, forensic examination procedures, and trauma.