ABSTRACT

In the 1970s, Martha “Marty” Goddard (1941–2015) conceived of and designed a kit that would collect forensic evidence in order to increase the probability of suspect identification in cases of sexual assault. Goddard designed a kit using over-the-counter items such as cotton swabs, combs, bags, labels, envelopes, and glass slides, to standardize the collection, preservation, and documentation of evidence. The kit was designed for hospitals and law enforcement, and is now part of standard protocol in the United States today. In 2022, a team from different parts of the Smithsonian worked collaboratively on the acquisition of this object, while holding critical conversations about what it means to not only care for the object, but also how to discuss the topic and lived experience of sexual assault. This interview dives into the story of the acquisition and its significance, and how museums can carefully and intentionally engage with the topic of sexual assault.

摘要

20 世纪 70 年代，玛莎·“马蒂”·戈达德（Martha “Marty” Goddard，1941-2015）构思并设计了一套工具包，用于收集法医证据，以提高性侵犯案件中嫌疑人识别的可能性。戈达德设计了一个工具包，使用棉签、梳子、袋子、标签、信封和载玻片等非处方物品来标准化证据的收集、保存和记录。该套件是为医院和执法部门设计的，现已成为美国标准方案的一部分。2022 年，来自史密森尼不同部门的一个团队合作收购了该物品，同时就不仅要关心该物品意味着什么，还要讨论如何讨论性侵犯的话题和生活经历进行批判性对话。