Introduction

Out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, how many are reported to police?

Out of 1000 sexual assaults, 995 perpetrators will walk free. 230 are reported to the police, and 4.6 rapists are incarcerated.
© Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN. Read The Criminal Justice System: Statistics to learn more.

Why do victims not report? Are there steps that first responders and investigators could take to increase the number of reported cases as well as the number of convictions?

Note: Please be advised that this lesson contains discussions of sexual assault and sexual assault investigations.

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Summarize special considerations for first responders and investigators in sexual assault cases.

Essential Questions

  • What considerations should be taken when interviewing an assault victim?
  • What should be considered when analyzing DNA from an assault case?

Enduring Understandings

  • Evidence must be collected in a specific and strategic manner, as well as systematically documented, to ensure that no tampering or contamination occurs.
  • DNA can be retrieved from a variety of human cells and utilized to directly link an individual to a crime scene with reasonable certainty.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation standards: 18.