NCJ Number
35294
Date Published
1975
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM, PART TWO OF A TWO-PART PRESENTATION, EXPLORES THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLECTING AND IDENTIFYING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE CORROBORATING THE VICTIM'S ALLEGATION OF RAPE.
Abstract
PROMPT REPORTING OF THE CRIME BY THE VICTIM, DETAILED QUESTIONING OF THE VICTIM BY THE INITIAL OFFICER ON THE SCENE, AND MEDICAL AND POLICE CRIME SCENE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE PREVENTS A RAPIST FROM GOING FREE. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE SOME DETAILED ASPECTS OF LEGAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN RAPE SITUATIONS, SUCH AS CHAIN OF POSSESSION OF EVIDENCE, SHOWUPS AND IN-THE-FIELD IDENTIFICATIONS OF SUSPECTS, AND GATHERING EVIDENCE FROM VEHICLES. STRESSED IS THE IMPORTANCE OF LETTING THE VICTIM KNOW THE REASONS BEHIND ALL ACTIONS TAKEN BY AND QUESTIONS ASKED BY INVESTIGATING OFFICERS. POLICE-RELATED VICTIM SERVICES ARE ALSO NOTED. A TRAINING MANUAL ACCOMPANIES THE FILM. (FOR PART ONE, 'PROBLEMS IN PROOF', SEE NCJ-35319).