DIY rape kits 'risk ruining evidence and letting rapists walk free'
Source: dailymail.co.uk
- Police warn that DIY rape evidence kits sold online put victims at risk by contaminating crucial forensic samples.
- These kits lack official approval and can destroy DNA evidence needed for convictions.
- Campaigners call for a ban on the kits to protect proper police investigations.
DIY rape kits bought from websites like Amazon are putting victims at serious risk because they can ruin vital evidence for police. Victims Protection Scotland and experts say these unapproved kits contaminate DNA samples, making it harder to catch rapists. The warning comes amid rising concerns over self-testing products that bypass professional forensics. It matters because it could lead to fewer successful prosecutions and more trauma for survivors relying on flawed evidence.