Overview
This April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence will be releasing a series of webinars covering topics related to sexual assault response reform. Tune in as our presenters discuss sexual assault kit and evidence tracking, the prevalence of sexual assault cases with strangulation, and conducting trauma-informed sexual assault investigations.
Webinars
Sexual Assault Kit Evidence Tracking: The Idaho State Police Forensic Services Experience
This webinar originally occurred on April 7, 2022
Presenters: Matthew Gamette, Rylene Nowlin, & Sheri Craig
The Idaho State Police Forensic Services agency has designed a sexual assault kit evidence tracking system, which effectively tracks all sexual assault kits collected in Idaho, provides a mechanism for victim notification of testing status, and is made freely available to other agencies who wish to adopt a tracking system. The system is in alignment with Idaho state legislation and national recommendations, including Idaho Code Chapter 29, Title 67, Section 67-2919 and recommendation #3 of the National Institute of Justice’s National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach.
Strangulation in Sexual Assault Cases: Considerations for Evidence Collection and Supporting Healing
This webinar originally occurred on April 14, 2022
Presenter: Kelly Taylor
In addition to providing medical care and support to victims of sexual assault, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) collect evidence from the victim’s body during the sexual assault forensic exam. As forensic DNA technology evolves, additional methods for collecting evidence associated with strangulation should be considered. Additionally, without the trauma-informed, victim-centered expertise and support from SANEs during a forensic medical exam, a sexual assault survivor may not disclose strangulation or associated injuries that could need medical attention.
Trauma-Informed Investigations for Sexual Assault Cases
This webinar originally occurred on April 26, 2022
Presenter: Angela Weekes
This webinar will highlight the importance of conducting a trauma-informed interview of a victim of sexual assault. Trauma-informed investigative interviews provide an opportunity to not only meet investigative objectives and help close cases, but also foster victim healing and engagement with the criminal justice system. Research indicates a sexual assault survivor’s experience and interaction with law enforcement impacts the level of future engagement with the criminal justice system.
Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence webinar series has been provided by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar series are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.
