[VIII.] Can't SToP the Police

When a sexual assault occurs, it is crucial to handle the situation as delicate yet still aggressive as possible. Law enforcement must be quick to gain evidence, whether it is from a rape kit or from the crime scene so they can apprehend the perpetrator. There are several things a police investigation key on while handling this type of offense. (1) Anonymity of the victim- the police are really the only people who are allowed to talk to the victim about the events, keeping out reporters, and other third party people. (2) Reduce victim trauma by limiting the times the victim has to repeat details of the offense- with compiling evidence and details of the offense, the victim is the forefront of the investigation, however, there still is a fine line to keep the trama of reliving the event too many times. (3) Finding the perpetrator- using evidence and the victim's account, the police are heavily trying to find the culprit of such crime. (4) Keeping the crime scene untouched until evidence can be collected- evidence in these types of crimes are anything from blood, semen, and hair to foot prints and finger prints. The police keep the crime scene free of any inconsistency or contamination as much as possible. Samples and evidence can be taken to crime scene investigation and crime lab for processing and analyzation as well. [1]

These investigations are a very delicate process both for the victim and the police handlingg it. Evidence, the victim's account and the crime scene are all huge parts to finding those who commit these crimes and stopping them from committing the crime again.