When treating a patient who has been sexually assaulted, what should you do with the clothing?

When treating a patient who has been sexually assaulted, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of any potential evidence, including clothing. Packaging the clothing in a bag ensures that it is collected in a manner that preserves any physical evidence that may be important for an investigation, such as biological samples or trace evidence.

Using a specific bag—ideally one that is paper rather than plastic—prevents contamination and degradation of evidence. This approach also allows for safe transport to the hospital or forensic facility where the evidence can be analyzed properly. It is essential for the EMT to be knowledgeable about handling such sensitive situations, as proper evidence collection can be vital for legal proceedings and supporting the victim's case.

Washing the clothing would destroy potential evidence, and leaving it on the floor compromises its safeguarding. Handing it to a partner without proper containment may also lead to contamination or loss of evidence. Thus, packaging the clothing appropriately is the best practice in this scenario.