PRELIMINARY SEX CRIME INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES 4.9
4.9.1 PURPOSE
A. This general order sets out the general investigative procedure to be followed in the investigation of sex crimes, i.e., rape, sodomy, etc. against adult victims, and explains the proper use of the Rape Victim Advocate (RVA) program. The investigation of sex crimes against juveniles is detailed in General Order 4.3 Child Abuse Reporting.
4.9.2 INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
A. The reporting officer is responsible for investigating a sex crime as thoroughly and completely as his resources allow. This does not prohibit members from requesting assistance from other Department personnel when such assistance will aid the investigation.
4.9.3 INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES
A. After confirming the occurrence of a sex crime, the reporting officer will take the following steps:
1. If the crime occurred within 24 hours of the report being made, transport the victim to Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center (MHMC), 24800 SE Stark Street, for a medical examination and the collection of evidence, i.e., rape kit. Under extenuating circumstances, this period may be expanded to 48 hours prior to the crime being reported. Such circumstances may include:
a. A victim who has not washed since the attack;
b. Extensive or prolonged sexual activity by the suspect(s) during the attack;
c. Physical injuries sustained by the victim that are not life threatening, but are of unique evidentiary value, etc.
2. Victims with Kaiser Health Insurance who prefer to be examined at a
Kaiser facility will be taken to Sunnyside Kaiser Hospital, 10180 SE
Sunnyside Road, Clackamas, Oregon.
3. Officers shall request that BOEC contact an RVA to meet with the officer and victim at the medical center the victim was transported to.
- For victims being transported to MHMC, the Charge Nurse in the ER will
contact a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Registered Nurse (SANE RN) for evidence collection; the SANE RN will respond within two hours.
- Officers will collect the victim’s clothing and bring them back to the
GPD for processing.
- The SANE RN will collect the evidence kit and release the kit to the
officer on scene, or place it in a locked evidence drawer at MHMC if the kit is to be collected later by an officer.
5. The evidence kit given to the officer from the attending medical personnel MUST be entered into evidence at the Gresham Police Department.
6. The officer will ensure that the victim is provided with transportation from the medical facility to whatever reasonable destination is requested. The officer will further ensure that clothing worn during the attack is seized as evidence. Relatives of the victim may be used as a resource for providing transportation and a change of clothing.
- In the event that the victim has been hospitalized subsequent to the
attack, the RVA contact and the medical examination will take place at that hospital.
- EVIDENCE - In compliance with ORS 138.690 to 138.692, biological
evidence will be preserved in an amount sufficient to develop a DNA profile unless evidence is of such a size as to make retention impracticable.
Craig Junginger
Chief of Police
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