Forensic evidence in rape and sexual assault
If the incident happened recently, it may be possible to collect forensic evidence that could help the case.
Forensic evidence means something that the offender might have left behind that could help us prove what happened.
Forensic evidence can include:
- things from the scene like a condom or body fluids
- evidence on your clothes or body
- fingerprints, or DNA (genetic) evidence
Some types of medical forensic evidence can only be taken in the first seven or so days after the assault happened. And the sooner evidence is collected the better - in the first few days is ideal.
But don't worry if it's already later than that. That doesn't mean it's too late to collect forensic evidence. It is still worth discussing forensic evidence if it happened more than seven days ago. Some types of forensic evidence, like photographs of injuries or hair samples if you may have been drugged, can be collected later.
Collecting forensic evidence doesn't mean you have to report to the police
Evidence can be stored and shared with us if you decide to make a report later.
So if you're not sure, but you think you might want to report to us in future, collecting forensic evidence as soon as you can keeps your options open and keeps you in control.
Preserving forensic evidence
If you think you might want to give forensic evidence, if possible please
Try not to
- eat or drink
- smoke
- wash
- brush your teeth
- go to the toilet
- change your clothes
- clean or tidy the place it happened
Do
- Keep other people and pets away from where it happened.
- Keep things like condoms, or any tampons, sanitary towels or tissues you've used; put them in a clean plastic bag.
- If you do need to go to the toilet, collect any urine in a clean container.
- If you do decide to brush your teeth, put the toothbrush in a clean plastic bag and keep the water you use in a clean container.
- If you do decide to change your clothes, please stand on something like a newspaper or towel, to catch anything that could fall from them, for example a strand of the offender's hair; then keep them unwashed in a paper bag.
Don't worry if you've already done any of these things or it's too late to do any of these things. That doesn't mean it's too late to collect forensic evidence.
Giving forensic evidence
Forensic medical exam
You can get a forensic medical exam at a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). We can refer you to a SARC or you can refer yourself to a SARC without involving us at all.
Some SARCs are in hospitals, others stand alone. They have different names in different locations.
You'll get support through the medical examination process. A nurse or doctor will do the examination. They are specially trained to do this as sensitively as possible. You can ask to see a female or male nurse or doctor. They'll take your medical history and explain exactly what will happen.
They will:
- make sure you're safe and well
- record any injuries
- take samples (for example using swabs) which may help with the investigation
Talk to them if you want to give evidence but not share it with the police yet.
Early evidence kits
If you report it to us, we might offer you an early evidence kit to collect forensic evidence before you go for a forensic medical examination (if you decide to have one).
This lets us gather evidence that might otherwise be lost, like a urine sample if you need to go to the toilet, or a mouth swab if you want to eat or drink.