NCJ Number
47547
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 141-156
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE RAPE INVESTIGATION MODEL DEVELOPED BY THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OREGON, DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY SEX CRIMES DETAIL IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
SINCE THESE GUIDELINES WERE INSTITUTED IN 1975, THE COUNTY'S CONVICTION RATE FOR SEX CRIMES HAS BEEN BETWEEN 96 AND 100 PERCENT FOR THE VARIOUS TYPES OF OFFENSES. THE CLEARANCE RATE WAS 87 PERCENT OF 49 REPORTED CASES IN 1975 AND 81 PERCENT OF 75 CASES IN 1976, THE LAST YEAR FOR WHICH FULL DATA ARE AVAILABLE. THE MODEL SUPPLIES CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING EVIDENCE, PROVIDES CHECKPOINTS AT VARIOUS STAGES OF THE INVESTIGATION TO ASSESS THE POSSIBILITY OF CAPTURE OF THE OFFENDER, AND SETS UP A FLOWCHART WHICH LETS ALL INVESTIGATORS KNOW THE STATUS OF EACH CASE, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH A LOCAL HOSPITAL TO PERFORM A MEDICAL EXAMINATION WITHOUT EXPENSE TO THE RAPE VICTIM. THE HOSPITAL HAS A 'RAPE KIT,' WHICH PROVIDES SPECIAL ENVELOPES FOR COLLECTION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND A CHECKLIST FOR THE HOSPITAL STAFF. THESE ENVELOPES, TOGETHER WITH THE DOCTOR'S REPORT AND THE VICTIM'S CLOTHING, WHICH IS SEARCHED FOR EVIDENCE, ARE SEALED AND TRANSPORTED DIRECTLY TO THE CRIME LABORATORY. THIS PROCEDURE ASSURES THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THE FINDINGS. THE INVESTIGATOR INTERVIEWS THE VICTIM EITHER AT THE SCENE OR AT THE HOSPITAL. HER STATEMENT IS TAPE-RECORDED SO THAT SHE WILL NOT HAVE TO REPEAT IT TO EACH PERSON HANDLING THE INVESTIGATION. THE INTERVIEWER IS TRAINED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL PERTINENT DATA ARE GIVEN ON THE TAPE. A COMPOSITE SKETCH IS MADE FROM THE VICTIM'S DESCRIPTION. DURING THE INITIAL STAGES EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ASCERTAIN THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE VICTIM'S STATEMENT. IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, SHE IS ASKED TO TAKE A POLYGRAPH TEST. ONCE THE VALIDITY OF THE CASE IS ASSURED, THE EVIDENCE IS PROCESSED, AND THE INVESTIGATION PROCEEDS AS IN ANY OTHER CRIMINAL CASE. A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE THREE GENERAL TYPES OF RAPISTS -- THE AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITY, THE SEXUAL DESIRE RAPIST, AND THE SOCIOPATHIC/PSYCHOPATHIC PERSONALITY -- ARE PROVIDED. PROCEDURES FOR THE ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF THE SUSPECT ARE EXPLAINED IN DETAIL, INCLUDING GIVING FULL WARNING OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, ASSURING COMPLETENESS OF EVIDENCE, AND HANDLING APPEALS. UNDER THESE GUIDELINES THE POLICE AND THE PROSECUTOR WORK CLOSELY TO MAKE SURE THE CASE FILE CONTAINS EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE FACT THAT A CRIME TOOK PLACE AND THAT THE SUSPECT PROBABLY COMMITTED IT. A CHECKLIST FOR THE CASE FILE IS PROVIDED. THROUGHOUT THE PROSECUTION PROCESS A SPECIAL COUNSELOR IS ASSIGNED TO THE VICTIM. IF THE PROSECUTOR DECIDES NOT TO PRESS CHARGES THE VICTIM IS GIVEN A FULL EXPLANATION. IF THE VICTIM DECIDES NOT TO TESTIFY, HER COOPERATION IS URGED. TABLES AND GRAPHS ARE PROVIDED WHICH ILLUSTRATE THE SUCCESS OF THIS APPROACH. (GLR)