Criminal Investigation Chapter 12: The investigation of sex crimes, assault, domestic violence and child abuse

Forcible rape

The penetration of the vagina or anus with a body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person without t

The most imporatnt investigative information

• The victim

• Forensic medical examination

Sexual assault

The most traumatic type of criminal victimization

• PHYSICAL and EMOTIONAL Trauma

• Should be approached very carefully

first responders should

• Stay calm, supportive, and respectful

• Interview victims with sensitivity and empathy

• Minimize repeated interviews 

• Ask if the victim prefers a male or female office

• Assign one officer to conduct interviews when possible

Sexual assault victim interviewing guidelines

• Minimize the number of interviews; use one officer when possible

• Avoid interrogation -style questioning

• involve the victim and give them some control

• Listen more than you speak

• Balance difficult questions with empathy 

3 typical sexual assault situations

• The victim and perpetrator know each other

• The victim  & the perpetrator do not know each other but the victim has described the perpetrator

• The perpetrator was a stranger, and the victim was unable to provide a sufficent description 

  • THE MO or signature of the perpetrator as well as the nature of circumstances of the attack

SANE

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

• Document injuries and recover evidence

Drug rape

Drugs that may be used to facilitate sexual assault

• Rohypnol

• GHB

• Ketamine

• Alcohol

Rohypnol

A powerful sedative that can cause confusion and memory loss

GHB

A central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness or unconsciousness

Ketamine

A dissociative drug that can cause disorientation and memory gaps

Alcohol

The most common substance involved in drug-facilitated sexual assault

Rape suspects

May be require to undergo a forensic examination

Contact rapists

• Sexual pleasure

• know their victims

Sexual aggressor

DO NOT know their victim, as the act of rape is an expression of anger or control

Power reassurance rapist

Lacks confidence

• will apologize when done

The power assertive rapist

Commits rape to DOMINATE the victim

• Will assault them multiple times

Anger retaliatory rapist

commits rapes for REVENGE or ANGER

• For women

Anger excitation rapist

Commits rape to INFLICT PAIN

• The most dangerous

Aggravated assault

• an attack by one person upon another for the purpose of INFLICTING SEVERE BODILY INJURY

  • Includes attempted murder

  • Aggravated assault is the MOST COMMON index violent crime

Simple assault

includes all other types of assaults that do NOT involve a weapon or serious injuries 

Domestic violence

Involves assaultive behaviors by someone in the victims domestic circle (Related)

• Restraining orders are an option

Child abuse

• may involve physical, sexual, and emotional abuse as well as neglect 

  • NEGLECT is the most common form!

Characteristics of the crime

• The risk of physical abuse decreases with age

• The risk of neglect decreases with age

• Children at the highest risk for sexual victimization between 7 and 12

• Offenders vary