36 Questions
What is the primary objective of conducting a preliminary investigation in a sexual assault case?
To gather and preserve physical evidence
What is the significance of a suspect being a 'Secretor' in a criminal investigation?
It reveals the suspect's blood type
What is the initial duty of the first responding officer at the scene of a sexual assault incident?
To secure the scene
What type of information should be obtained by the first responding officer or investigator during the initial investigation of a sexual assault?
Various types of information, including the victim's statement, suspect's alibi, and physical evidence
What is the best way to locate and identify physical evidence at the scene of a sexual assault?
By conducting a thorough search of the scene
What is the best mode of transportation for taking a sexual assault victim to the hospital during non-emergency and non-life-threatening circumstances?
Police vehicle
Who should perform the victim rape kit?
Medical personnel at a hospital
Where should the investigator obtain swabs from if the sexual assault occurred in a vehicle?
Both vinyl seats and carpet if on floor of vehicle
What is the purpose of the two-interview process?
To ensure the victim's statement is consistent
What is the primary goal of the first responding officer at a sexual assault crime scene?
To provide aid to the victim
Why should the victim's clothing be seized as soon as possible?
To preserve evidence
What is the purpose of the area canvass?
To gather information that may be unknown to the victim
What is the purpose of collecting cigarette butts in a sexual assault case?
To identify the brand of cigarettes the suspect smokes
What is a 'secretor' in the context of sexual assault cases?
A person who can be identified by their saliva
What is the significance of a secretor in a sexual assault case?
They can be identified by their blood type through bodily fluids
What should the officer do if the victim is in a medical emergency at the crime scene?
Have the victim conveyed to a hospital
Why should the investigator interview hospital personnel concerning the victim's condition?
To understand the victim's medical needs
What should the investigator do when interviewing the victim at their residence?
Do not interview the victim in a bedroom or area where the assault took place
What type of evidence may be found at a sexual assault crime scene?
Fingerprints and semen
What should the officer do with the victim rape kit?
Convey it to the crime lab
How many times should the victim be interviewed during the initial investigation?
Twice
Why is it important to gather information about the suspect, vehicle, and time element from the victim?
To broadcast a description of the suspect and vehicle
Why is it important to determine the individual agency's General Orders for transporting the victim to the hospital?
To follow agency protocol
What is the reason for reporting adult victims of human trafficking to the Missouri Department of Social Services?
To provide support and services to the victim
What should the investigator do when conducting the second interview with the victim at the hospital?
Conduct a complete and in-depth interview
Where should the investigator conduct the first interview with the victim?
At the location where the assault occurred
What is the primary purpose of conducting a thorough search of a residential structure or other building at a crime scene?
To identify the point of entry and exit
Why is it important to have a professional interview with the victim before transporting or allowing them to 'shut down'?
To obtain valuable information about the crime scene
What is the primary reason for writing a complete and thorough police report in rape cases?
To facilitate courtroom testimony and ensure the elements of the crime are met
Why is it necessary to rope off an extensive area around the location where an assault occurred in an outside area?
To facilitate a thorough search of the area
What is the primary purpose of documenting evidence or property in a police report?
To facilitate the seizure of evidence at a later date
What is the requirement for reporting adult victims of human trafficking to the Missouri Department of Social Services?
As soon as possible after the initial encounter
What is the web address for law enforcement agencies to report adult victims of human trafficking to the Department of Social Services?
What is the requirement for reporting human trafficking victims under the age of 18?
To the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Why is it essential to have a complete and thorough police report in task force cases where the elements of the crime were not met?
To facilitate courtroom testimony
What is the primary benefit of documenting information in a police report?
To facilitate future reference and courtroom testimony
Study Notes
Sexual Assault Investigation
-
Victim and Suspect Rape Kits:
- Victim Rape Kit: performed by medical personnel at a hospital, seized by investigating officer, and conveyed to crime lab; consists of 12 envelopes for trace evidence left by the suspect
- Suspect Rape Kit: performed by crime scene officer or investigating officer, seized and conveyed to crime lab; contains 7 envelopes for packaging evidence, goal is to find trace evidence deposited by the victim
-
Secretor:
- An individual who secretes their blood type through their saliva, blood, urine, eye fluid, or spit
- These fluids can be typed if enough fluid exists, making it a crucial piece of evidence
- A secretor will eliminate about 30% of the population that is not a secretor
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Duty of First Responding Officer:
- Provide aid to the victim, including first aid, ambulance, and hospital care
- Protect the victim from further harm, onlookers, and media
-
Initial Information Obtained by Officer/Investigator:
- Suspect, vehicle, and time element information from the victim
- Area canvass to gather information from neighbors and onlookers
- Interviews should be professional and complete, while being sensitive to the victim's emotional and mental state
-
Best Way to Identify Evidence at Crime Scene:
- Have the victim remain at the crime scene if no medical emergency
- If a medical emergency exists, have the victim conveyed to the hospital
- Attempt to interview the victim to determine any items that need to be secured as evidence
-
Types of Physical Evidence:
- Fingerprints
- Semen
- Blood
- Cigarette butts or tobacco products
- Hair
- Skin of the suspect
- Composite sketch or photo ID of the suspect
-
Best Mode of Transportation for Victim to Hospital:
- Have the reporting officer or investigator transport the victim if no immediate medical treatment is needed
- Can continue to interview the victim during transport
- Evidence may be lost in an ambulance
- Ambulance personnel will not have to be included as witnesses
-
Duties of Investigator at Hospital:
- Obtain the victim rape kit from the hospital
- Interview hospital personnel concerning the victim's condition
- Interview the victim in a quiet room or area where nobody else is present
-
Interview Environment with Victim:
- If interviewing the victim at their residence, do not interview in a bedroom or area where the assault took place
- Always interview the victim without other family members or friends present
- If interviewing the victim at the hospital, try to use a quiet room or area where nobody else is present
-
The Two-Interview Process:
- First interview at the location where the assault occurred, to gather basic information and evidence
- Second interview to be conducted at the hospital or other location, for a complete and in-depth interview
-
Three Types of Locations where Sexual Assaults Most Commonly Occur:
- Residential structures or other buildings
- Vehicles
- Outside areas (parks, common ground areas, etc.)
-
Process for Locating Evidence:
- Residential structures and other buildings: walk around the entire structure, locate point of entry and exit, and look for property or items belonging to the victim or suspect
- Vehicles: entire vehicle and area around the vehicle is a crime scene, look for evidence around the vehicle
- Outside areas: have the victim point out the area where the assault occurred, rope off the area, and search extensively
-
Reasons for a Complete and Thorough Report:
- For the benefit of follow-up investigators
- Facts documented for future use
- For the prosecutor, to decide on information
- For courtroom testimony
- May be used in task force rape cases
-
Reporting Human Trafficking:
- Report adult victims of human trafficking to the Missouri Department of Social Services
- Report human trafficking victims under the age of 18 to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Learn about the different types of rape kits used in sexual assault investigations, including victim and suspect rape kits, and their role in collecting and analyzing evidence. Understand the concept of a secretor in forensic science.
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