SEXUAL BATTERY INV 13.4B
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: SEXUAL BATTERY INVESTIGATIONS
GENERAL ORDER: 13.4B
EFFECTIVE: April 3, 2003
REVISES: G.O. 13.4A
PAGES: 3
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
II. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION
III. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To establish a format for the investigation of sexual battery complaints.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all law enforcement officers.
DISCUSSION:
Sexual battery complaints will be systematically investigated with attention to detail.
POLICY:
Sexual battery complaints will be vigorously investigated. Investigators must be sensitive to the
emotional impact of these crimes on the victim.
PROCEDURE:
If a juvenile is the victim of a sexual battery, the procedures in the Juvenile Victim
Investigation Procedures General Order will apply, besides the provisions of this order.
I. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION:
The first officer to arrive on the scene of a sexual battery must
realize that the victim may have been traumatized psychologically, emotionally, and physically. Medical
treatment will be requested immediately if there is physical injury.
A.
The officer must determine when the sexual battery occurred and make notifications as follows:
1.
If less than 72 hours has elapsed since the incident occurred, notifications will be made to the patrol
supervisor, the on duty or on-call detective, and the Palm Beach County Victim Services Crisis Unit. The C-
ommunications Division operator will be given suspect information for a BOLO.
2.
If more than 72 hours has elapsed since the incident occurred, notifications will be made only to the patrol
supervisor and Victim Services Crisis Unit.
B.
The officer will conduct an informal interview of the victim (if the victim’s physical condition permits).
It is essential that the officer consider the victim’s emotional state when phrasing questions. The objectives of
the informal interview are to:
1.
Identify injuries to the victim resulting from the sexual battery;
G.O.13.4B
2.
Obtain the essential facts of the case to determine if a crime occurred;
3.
Identify potential witnesses;
4.
Obtain information concerning the identity and location of the suspect, if possible.
5.
Determine the location of the crime scene, and take appropriate measures to locate, protect, and
preserve evidence, to include:
a. Ensure that the victim does not contaminate or destroy evidence by bathing, showering, or
urinating.
b. Determine what clothing was worn by the victim at the time of the incident. If the victim has
changed clothes, locate and secure each item of clothing in a separate paper bag, as evidence. (The
officer should observe appropriate biohazard precautions when handling this type of evidence, i.e.,
rubber gloves, biohazard labels, etc.)
C.
The officer will conduct a neighborhood check.
II. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION:
In addition to the established procedures for conducting follow-up
investigations, the detective assigned a sexual battery case is responsible for the following:
A.
Contact the responding officer for details of the informal interview.
B.
Determine if the victim will consent to a medical examination to gather evidence. If the victim consents,
the Jupiter Medical Center coordinator will be contacted and advised of the victim’s name, age, presence of
any serious injuries that require medical attention, and the estimated time of arrival.
C.
Ensure that a Victim Advocate is available to assist with the victim’s needs.
D.
Process the crime scene and gather evidence to include the victim’s clothing, when appropriate.
E.
Impound the SAVE kit and immediately place it in a refrigerated evidence storage locker.
F.
Conduct a formal interview of the victim at the Police Department, if possible.
G.
Assist State Attorney’s Office officials during the prosecution of the suspect(s).
H.
Prepare all supplemental reports to include all follow-up investigative activity.
III. GLOSSARY:
FORMAL INTERVIEW - An in-depth interview of a victim conducted by a detective.
INFORMAL INTERVIEW - A brief interview of the victim only to obtain basic information related to the case,
i.e., confirmation that a crime has occurred, a description of the suspect, the suspect’s means or direction of
travel, etc.
SAVE KIT (Sexual Assault Victim Examination) - A physical examination to verify sexual battery and collect
traces of a suspect’s semen, and any other evidence that would support a criminal charge of sexual battery.
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G.O.13.4B
INDEXING:
RAPE INVESTIGATIONS
SEXUAL BATTERY INVESTIGATIONS
DRAFTED:
DJR/April 3, 2003/Filed: Sexbat13.4
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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