Gathering forensic evidence in sexual assault|rape

One of the sources of evidence is forensic evidence that can be found at the various scenes of the crime, this evidence can support what you are saying. This will include the place where you were when it happened: fibres or hair on settees, carpets, car seats, can be recovered for examination – wherever it happened. In some cases evidential traces of semen can even be found at the scene of a crime years after the offence.

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For example, in one case where a child had spat out semen following an assault the police found a dried combination of semen from the abuser and spit from the victim mixed together on a rug years after the act . This type of evidence is overwhelming and in this case led to the offender pleading guilty at court.

If you are in a situation to report a sexual crime to the police soon after it happened, then they can also find forensic evidence on your body as well as the body of the perpetrator if they can be arrested in time. To get this sort of evidence, getting to the police or to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (if you don’t want to report to the police as yet) as quickly as possible is very important. This includes in the middle of the night!

Timescales for gathering forensic evidence

The police use the following time parameters as a guide to indicate the presence of forensic evidence following an assault. It is however important to remember that they are only a guide and consideration needs to be given to the individual circumstances of every case individually.

• DNA from fingers in vagina - up to 12 hours

• DNA from a penis - most likely to obtain a profile from the victim within the first 12 hours

• DNA from skin to skin contact (eg on bruises, or from kissing) can be detected up to 2 days. This includes detection of body fluids, cellular material and lubricant. If by chance, the person has not bathed or showered then the Forensic Science service say that the relevant area can be swabbed up to 7 days after the incident

• Fingernail scrapings - 2 days

• Oral (saliva and mouth swabs) - 2 days

• Lubricant from a condom - up to 30 hours

• Anal - up to 3 days

• Vaginal - up to 7 days

• Fibres of anything put on the head can last up to 7 days

• Semen can be detected on clothing despite washing

Generally speaking the sooner the police can collect samples the greater the chance of detecting evidence. All of the above time scales are approximate and can vary depending on other factors. Forensic evidence sometimes lasts longer than the timescales listed here, so it may still be worth checking.

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Having a forensic medical examination

You can go to your local Sexual Assault Referral centre (saturn centre if you live in Sussex, or consult our list of referral centres around the UK) and have a forensic medical examination done, without having to make a statement to the police.

They can keep all your forensic evidence for a long time whilst you decide whether or not you want to report to the police. If you do decide to report in the future, then you have the forensic evidence saved which could greatly help your case. If you don't, it will just be stored safely for you.

Remember – if you have been recently raped or sexually assaulted then it is important that you preserve forensic evidence on your body as soon as possible by reporting to the police or to a SARC.

However, this is not the only form of evidence and many cases can be proved in court even without it!

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