NCJ Number
58152
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
SPECIFIC STEPS ARE OUTLINED FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO FOLLOW IN AIDING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS, INCLUDING ACTIONS AT CRIME SCENE, VICTIM'S INTERVIEW, HOSPITAL PROCEDURE, AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION.
Abstract
PART OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIF., PROTOCOL FOR THE TREATMENT OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS, THIS GUIDE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SUPPLEMENTS THE MEDICAL SECTIONS OF THE PROTOCOL. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE CRIMES OF AGGRESSION SIMILAR TO OTHER ASSAULTS. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT USUALLY SEXUAL ORGANS ARE USED TO ACCOMPLISH THE ULTIMATE DEGRADATION AND HUMILIATION OF THE VICTIM. SPECIALIZED TRAINING IS NECESSARY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO PREVENT THE VICTIM FROM BEING PSYCHOLOGICALLY SCARRED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE INVESTIGATOR SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH THE EMOTIONAL STATE OF THE VICTIM. FEELINGS OF GUILT, FEAR, EMBARRASSMENT, HELPLESSNESS, AND ANGER ARE COMMONLY EXPERIENCED BY VICTIMS. THE OFFICER CAN AVOID INTENSIFYING THESE BY CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW TACTFULLY AND SHOWING OVERT CONCERN FOR THE VICTIM'S PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION. THE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FIRST OFFICER AT THE CRIME SCENE (VENUE) ARE LISTED. THE VARIED PURPOSES OF THE INITIAL INTERVIEW ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING WHAT INFORMATION MUST BE OBTAINED. THE VENUE CHECKLIST DETAILS WHAT EVIDENCE AND CLUES THE INVESTIGATOR SHOULD FIND AND FURNISHES COMMON OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS. THE HOSPITAL PROCEDURE LIST TELLS OFFICERS WHAT THEIR ROLE IN HELPING THE VICTIM AT THE HOSPITAL IS AND WHAT INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE SHOULD BE RECEIVED FROM MEDICAL PERSONNAL. EVIDENCE-COLLECTION PROCEDURES ARE DETAILED AND A SAMPLE MODUS OPERANDI FORM IS PROVIDED. FOOTNOTES AND A LIST OF DIRECT SOURCES ARE INCLUDED. FOR A RELATED DOCUMENT, SEE NCJ 58152. (PRG)