NCJ Number
43525
Editor(s)
D D SCHRAM
Date Published
1978
Length
43 pages
Annotation
DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES WHICH CAN IMPROVE RAPE CASE INVESTIGATIONS AND MAKE PERSONNEL MORE SENSITIVE TO THE TRAUMA OF THE VICTIM ARE RECOMMENDED AND ARE IMPLEMENTATION DISCUSSED.
Abstract
RAPE INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING BECAUSE THE CRIME IS MORE DIFFICULT TO PROVE, THE EVIDENCE IS MORE SUBTLE, AND THE INVESTIGATOR MUST HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF SENSITIVITY AND UNDERSTANDING. THE FIRST POLICY DECISION IS WHETHER RAPE CALLS SHOULD BE HANDLED BY A PATROL OFFICER, A TRAINED PATROL SPECIALIST, OR SOME TYPE OF SPECIAL UNIT. SINCE THE AVERAGE PATROL OFFICER SEES ONLY TWO RAPE CASES A YEAR, THE SPECIAL OFFICER OR UNIT SEEMS BEST FOR ALL BUT THE SMALLEST DEPARTMENTS. SELECTING RAPE INVESTIGATORS IS A DIFFICULT PERSONNEL PROBLEM. NOT ONLY MUST THE OFFICER BE A GOOD INVESTIGATOR, HE OR SHE MUST BE FLEXIBLE AND UNDERSTANDING ENOUGH TO WORK WELL WITH A VARIETY OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE OFFICERS WORK WELL WITH ADULT VICTIMS BUT FEMALE OFFICERS HAVE AN ADVANTAGE WHEN WORKING WITH CHILDREN. SPECIAL TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL IN THE BEGINNING; REFRESHER COURSES ARE VALUABLE. HOURS SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE BECAUSE 75 PERCENT OF CALLS COME BETWEEN 5 P.M. AND 5 A.M., BUT INVESTIGATIONS CAN OFTEN BE DONE ONLY DURING THE DAY. CLOSE COOPERATION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED WITH THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, VICTIM SERVICE GROUPS, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENCOURAGE PERSONAL INTERACTION BETWEEN POLICE AND PERSONNEL FROM THESE OTHER GROUPS THROUGH MUTUAL TRAINING COURSES, DISCUSSIONS, OR JOINT ASSIGNMENTS. WHICH DECISIONS SHOULD BE DEPARTMENTAL POLICY AND WHICH SHOULD BE HANDLED CASE BY CASE ARE DISCUSSED. FORMS USEFUL IN RAPE INVESTIGATION ARE APPENDED.