Goal #6 Objective C

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Objective C:
Without the use of the course text or class notes, the student will identify specific investigative issues relating to rape and other sex crimes.

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Investigative issues relating to rape and other sex crimes

• Definitions
  
• The People Involved
  
• Physical Evidence
  
• Records and Other Sources of Information
  
• Follow-up Information
  

Definitions -

rape (BJS) -
Unlawful sexual intercourse with a female by force or without legal consent.

Other sex crimes include other less specific forms of aberrant behavior

• sexual assault
  
• child abuse and molestation, also known as pedophlia
  
• some forms of pornography
  
• indecent exposure
  
• incest
  
• stalking
  

The People Involved -
Sex crime cases must have a priority handling because victims frequently require medical attention and physical examination that can establish rape or sexual assault.

Victim Interview

• Conducted in private with an impartial observer (especially away from family & friends)
  
• Let victim tell the story uninterrupted
  
• The investigator should take detailed notes
  
• When victim is finished, the investigator should build on the story, exploring details
  

Goal of preliminary rape or sexual assault victim interview

• obtain a description of the offender(s)
  
• identify location(s) where crime took place
  
• identify possible witnesses
  
• identify specific actions of the offender that are volunteered by the victim
  
• identify the circumstances of the attack
  
• identify vehicle and/or weapon information
  

Physical Evidence -
In addition to physical evidence collection techniques discussed earlier in the course, the completion of a Sex Crimes Investigation Kit (AKA a Rape Kit) should be completed by qualified medical personnel and forwarded to a crime laboratory.

Goal of a crime scene search in a rape or other sex crime:

• link victim and offender to the crime scene
  
• establish sexual relations took place
  
• establish that force was used
  
• establish the offender's role or activity
  

Osterburg identifies special collection and preservation techniques on pages 492-496.

Role of physical evidence in a rape or sex crime investigation and prosecution

• blood
  
• semen
  
• saliva
  
• hair
  
• fibers
  
• markings
  

blood -

• Blood typing (class characteristics)
  
• DNA (individual characteristics)
  

semen -

• Establishes sexual activity
  
• May establish blood type
  
• May establish DNA
  

saliva -

• May establish blood type
  
• May establish DNA
  

hair -

• May establish DNA if root is present
  

fibers -

• Fibers present at the scene of the crime may have been carried in by a
• suspect or carried away by a suspect. Fibers can be used to link the
• suspect to the victim, the crime scene or both.
  

markings -

• Tool or weapon markings can be used to link the weapon or the tool to the scene or victim, particularly if it is recovered in the possession of the suspect.
  

Records and Other Sources of Information -

• Law enforcement records
  
• Computerized records system
  
• Crime Analyst
  

Follow-up Activities -

• police sketches
  
• identi-kits
  
• computerized graphics
  

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Continue to Goal #6 - Objective D.
Return to Course Learning Goals Page

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