NCJ Number
115599
Date Published
1988
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Guidelines to prosecuting sex offenses committed against adult and child victims address interviewing victims, preliminary hearings, evidence, common defenses, and prosecution strategies.
Abstract
The outline discusses sex offenses involving adult victims, offering suggestions on the initial interview with the victim and conduct of the felony hearing. A review of evidence presented by the prosecution covers medical records, clothing, weapons, witnesses, fingerprints, bitemarks, and expert testimony on the rape trauma syndrome. Tactics for countering two defenses -identification and consent -- are detailed. Also considered is marital rape. The outline then addresses interviewing the child victim and evidence needed in such cases. Familial sexual abuse expert testimony and recent changes in the law concerning child sexual abuse cases are examined. Three defenses used in child sexual offense cases are reviewed: identification, consent, and fabrication.