How many hours must a healthcare provider maintain chain of custody and mail the SAFE kit after evidence collection?

The correct answer is that a healthcare provider must maintain chain of custody and mail the SAFE kit after evidence collection within 48 hours. This time frame is critical to ensuring that the evidence remains valid and admissible in legal proceedings. The 48-hour window is established to prevent degradation of the evidence and to streamline the investigative process for law enforcement, enhancing the potential for a successful prosecution.

Maintaining the chain of custody ensures that there is a clear and documented account of who handled the evidence, how it was stored, and when it was sent for analysis, safeguarding the integrity of the evidence. It's essential for healthcare providers to adhere to this timeframe to support the victims effectively and comply with legal standards.