The Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) has raised concerns about the distribution and promotion of self-swab ‘rape kits’ to university students by external companies. On Friday 31 October, 2025, the FFLM sent a letter to the Vice Chancellors of all universities in England and Wales, expressing their worries about these products being marketed without their involvement, endorsement, or approval.
According to the FFLM, these kits are not safe and pose a risk of contaminating evidence. Moreover, they do not offer victims access to proper medical, psychosocial, and safeguarding care. The FFLM also states that these kits may not produce admissible samples, do not protect vulnerable individuals, and there is no evidence to suggest that their availability deters sexual violence. As a result, the FFLM, along with other professional and regulatory bodies, strongly opposes the use of these self-swab kits.
Dr Alex Gorton, President of the FFLM, stated, “We applaud any organisation that is interested in reducing sexual violence and addressing its aftermath. However, companies marketing self-testing kits must ensure survivors are not misled by claims that such kits can replace professional forensic and medical care.”
The FFLM is urging universities to direct students who have experienced sexual assault to Sexual Assault Referral Centres. These centres provide appropriate and expert care, including forensic examination, in line with national standards and the Forensic Science Regulator’s Statutory Code of Practice.
To read the full letter sent by the FFLM to universities, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/367x46yf
To read the joint position statement by the FFLM and other professional and regulatory bodies, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/4jf5xbca
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.