PH Has Developed Its Own Rape Kit and It Could Change How Cases Are Proven

(SPOT.ph) In sexual assault cases, what gets collected in the first few hours can decide what happens years later in court. The problem is that evidence collection hasn’t always been consistent—sometimes it depends on what a hospital has or how trained the staff is. To fix that, researchers from the UP Diliman Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI) DNA Analysis Laboratory developed a “rape kit”—the first of its kind in the Philippines.

SAI.Kit is a standardized, all-in-one set used by medical professionals to collect DNA evidence from sexual assault patients in a way that can be properly tested and legally recognized.

Patients are advised to seek care within 72 hours, which Miriam Ruth Dalet—one of the researchers—said is the most likely window for finding biological evidence from the perpetrator in the body.

“It is important for them not to hesitate to go to a hospital or any facility familiar with collection procedures using the kit. That gives us the best window to find perpetrator DNA, if there is any,” Dalet.

Also read: What Constitutes as Rape? No Penetration Necessary, Supreme Court Rules

Inside the kit are swabs for collecting DNA from different parts of the body, containers for items like clothing or underwear, and tamper-proof packaging to keep samples intact. The kit also doubles as a drying stand, allowing samples to air-dry properly to prevent mold or degradation.

Medical personnel are guided by a detailed instruction manual on what samples to collect and how to collect them. According to Dalet, what the patient shares helps point to where contact may have happened—and which areas are more likely to have the perpetrator’s DNA.

“In females, that is usually the internal genitalia. For males, that might be the anus,” Dalet explained. “But there could be other sites, such as the mouth or other parts of the body. We have swabs that doctors can use for these.”

Each kit has two sets of samples—one is sent to the laboratory for DNA analysis, while the other remains sealed as a backup. This ensures that if results are questioned, there is still untouched evidence that can be examined later.

The paperwork included in the kit is just as important. It includes standard forms in English and Filipino that record patient consent, what was done during the exam, and how each sample was handled. This helps track the evidence from start to finish—something courts will likely check to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with.

“If an incident goes to court, the last part will be very important. Chain of custody is often questioned in court as it is connected with the integrity of the samples,” Dalet said.

All of this ties back to what the kit is trying to do: improve the chances of finding usable DNA. When used within 72 hours after an incident, it can help recover biological evidence that may point to or rule out a suspect. It doesn’t determine whether a crime necessarily happened—that still depends on testimony and legal arguments—but it can help show that contact took place.

“It’s objective evidence. Because it is unique to each individual, detecting a DNA profile that does not belong to the patient from proper sampling provides strong evidence of intimate contact,” Dalet said.

Also read: Rape Victims Don't Need to Prove Resistance, Supreme Court Rules

The version now being rolled out is the result of a long development process that started two decades ago, when there was no locally available rape kit in the country.

The idea was first explored in 2003 by University Research Associate Frederick Delfin, who worked on a “rape kit” as part of his graduate studies. Years later, Dr. Maria Corazon A. De Ungria and her team at the NSRI DNA Analysis Laboratory developed a prototype. The early version was far from what is now being rolled out—it consisted of basic materials, stored in a large envelope with labeled tubes.

The team eventually partnered with Manila Healthtek Inc. to redesign the kit into a more standardized, user-ready format and to prepare it for production. The transition alone took more than seven years, with delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To begin production at a scale that would keep costs manageable—especially for government hospitals serving low-income patients—the team needed at least 2,000 kits. Support eventually came through a humanitarian initiative, allowing the first batch to be produced in late 2025.

These initial units are set to be distributed to Child Protection Units and women’s and children’s desks nationwide, along with training on proper collection, handling, and storage.

Sexual violence in the Philippines isn’t rare—and it’s often underreported. Philippine National Police recorded 2,791 rape cases in 2023, but those only reflect incidents that were actually reported.

Many cases never make it that far. Data from the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey showed that 42% of women who experienced physical or sexual violence never sought help or told anyone.

“Justice can go both ways,” Dalet said. “That is why access to this test matters.”

To support the SAI.Kit or inquire about getting it for an organization, inquiries may be sent to sai.kit.upd@up.edu.ph.