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Predicting Sexual Assault Kit Submission Among Adolescent Rape Cases Treated in Forensic Nurse Examiner Programs

NCJ Number
245771
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 18 Dated: December 2013 Pages: 3400-3417
Author(s)
Jessica Shaw; Rebecca Campbell
Date Published
December 2014
Length
18 pages
Annotation

Following a sexual assault, victims are usually advised to have a medical forensic exam and sexual assault forensic exam kit SAK.

Abstract

Following a sexual assault, victims are usually advised to have a medical forensic exam and sexual assault forensic exam kit SAK. Once completed, the SAK is to be transported by law enforcement to the crime lab for analysis. However, many kits are never transported to the crime lab, thereby preventing forensic evidence obtained in the kit to be used during the prosecutorial process. The current study examined rates of SAK submission for 393 adolescent sexual assault cases in two Midwestern communities and explored what factors predicted law enforcement officers' submission of SAKs to the crime lab for analysis. Findings reveal that more than 40% of the adolescent cases did not have their SAK submitted, and several factors, including the age and race of the victim, the number of perpetrators in the assault, and the number of assaultive acts, predicted SAK submission. Implications for SAK community protocols are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage.