This 70 minute training DVD educates examiners about the most effective methods for collecting trace evidence, handling wet evidence, collecting hair reference samples, forensic female and male genital exams, and maintaining forensic tools and equipment. Useful for sexual assault examiners, criminal justice professionals, forensic scientists, and victim advocates.

The guidelines and interview strategies included in this document are based upon national best practices regarding sexual assault incident investigations and were developed in collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, medical, and forensic professionals. The goal of these guidelines is to support officers and departments in preparing sexual assault cases for successful prosecution through detailed case documentation and thorough investigations.

Note: These guidelines are not intended for use when the victim is a minor.

This document presents reasons why the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) cautions against submitting sexual assault kits (SAKs) to forensic laboratories if the person from whom the kit was collected has not chosen to report a sexual assault to law enforcement and has not otherwise consented to its submission. While terms used to describe these kits vary across jurisdictions, they are referred to as non-investigative kits in this document. We summarize how testing non-investigative kits without victim consent can undermine victims’ rights, weaken community trust of law enforcement, and constitute an imprudent use of finite resources.

Advances in science are making it possible for forensic labs to identify trace amounts of DNA from evidence. Science is also helping us identify more effective methods to support victims. Studies in neuroscience, for example, are showing how trauma may affect a victim’s ability to remember and explain details of an assault. Social science research is providing evidence-based guidance on collecting evidence to improve investigation and prosecution.

The purpose of the SANE Education Guidelines is to: (1) Identify the standardized, evidence-based body of scientific knowledge necessary for the comprehensive medical-forensic evaluation of the patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse; (2) Summarize the concept, development, function, and collaboration of the multidisciplinary team as it relates to sexual violence response; and (3) Summarize sexual assault nurse examiner professional practice issues.

This comprehensive sexual assault protocol includes a procedure for anonymous reporting. It was developed in Cambria County, Pennsylvania and provides guidance on responding to victims who are reluctant or unsure about getting involved in the criminal justice system.

When foreign hair is collected, however, hair must also be available from the victim for comparison with any foreign hair that is found in or on her body. For this reason, examiners pluck 15 to 20 head hairs and pubic hairs. Others cut hairs rather than pluck, since many laboratories do not analyze the root.” The question is, why would any crime laboratory expend resources to analyze the root of a known hair standard?

I have received more and more requests for information to clarify what the timeline should be for conducting a forensic examination following a victim’s report of a sexual assault. These requests have come from around the country, from forensic examiners and other medical professionals, as well as law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and even victim advocacy organizations. And while I have tried to provide concrete guidance regarding the time limits for the forensic examination, I have to admit that I find questions such as these fascinating – because they are so often steeped in traditions of doing things just because “we’ve always done it that way.”

June 2007 – The results of Portland Oregon’s audit of investigations and response to sexual assaults.

This OnLine Training Institute (OLTI) module offers guidance on how to establish, expand, and sustain a local SARRT to improve the coordination of services for victims across disciplines and agencies in rural and remote communities. It covers much of the same conten as the other OLTI module on SARRTs (Sustaining a Coordinatied Community Response: Sexual Assault Response and Resource Teams), with greater focus on overcoming the unique challenges faced by professionals who respond to sexual assault in rural and remote communities.

This resource provides law enforcement with issues, procedures, and recommendations to consider when developing a policy related to sexual assault as well as accompanying training content. A sexual assault policy provides agency members with direction and support, helps ensure the safety of victims, agency members, and community members, and aims to hold perpetrators accountable.

The focus of this Technical Assistance Guide is to help sexual assault service providers build, expand, formalize, and maintain strong interagency responses to sexual violence. It includes a brief overview followed by Practice Tips, Ways to Build SART Excellence, and Key Resources.

Civil sexual harassment and criminal sexual assault differ in many ways, including the standards of proof, consequences for individual and organizational defendants, and relief for victims, among other factors. While these issues are complex, this training bulletin provides a concise summary to clarify key concepts and distinctions.

The purpose of this guide is to assist physicians, nurses, and other clinical health care providers in meeting their professional obligations in identifying and providing intervention and treatment to older victims of sexual violence. It includes introductory information, such as definitions and a problem statement, as well as scenarios. Additionally, it discusses issues relevant to health care providers, such as practice recommendations, provider responsibilities, gathering patient history, examination, and evidence collection.

The purpose of this guide is to provide advocates working in community-based sexual assault programs with an understanding of sexual violence in the military and to offer resources to support their collaborative efforts with military personnel in responding to the needs of survivors and preventing sexual violence.

This training bulletin offers a very brief summary of the issues, primarily serving as a guide to other relevant resources.

Some law enforcement agencies have assigned female officers to sex crimes cases, assuming that victims will feel more secure and that women officers will “naturally” or intuitively respond better to these cases. But a better approach is to invest in quality training for all officers regardless of gender, and to set high expectations for anyone who interviews sexual assault victims.

In a training bulletin entitled, EVAWI addresses the question of whether or not evidence collected in association with a non-investigative report should be submitted to the laboratory for analysis. In short, the answer is “no.” The bulletin goes on to explain the rationale for this answer.