IACP Sexual Assault Incident Reports
INVESTIGATIVE Strategies

The following guidelines and interview strategies are based
upon national best practices regarding sexual assault incident
investigations and were developed in collaboration with local,
state, and federal law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates,
medical, and forensic professionals. The goal of these guidelines
is to support officers and departments in preparing sexual
assault cases for successful prosecution through detailed case
documentation and thorough investigations.
note:

These guidelines are not intended for use when the victim is a minor.
 

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Standardizing Case Coding
and Clearance Practices
Throughout the country sexual assault cases are coded according to different criteria using
varied terminology, resulting in confusion and miscommunication within the criminal justice
system about these crimes. With the goal of building stronger sexual assault cases and
attaining higher rates of prosecution, uniformity in case coding terminology and reporting
procedures will create common professional standards.
Assign a tracking number for every reported
sexual assault offense and document each
report in writing.
•  Even if an incident does not meet the elements of a
sexual offense, a written report should be saved as
an information report. Preserving information reports
affords potential pattern identification with serial
offenders, a return to cases as more information
develops, and promotes supervisory review.
All reports should be taken as valid unless
evidence proves otherwise.
•  Do not rush to decide if a report is an information
or crime report. This decision should be based on
evidence collected through the investigation.
•  A report should not be labeled “false” or unfounded
as a result of the initial victim interview or perceived
victim reaction to the sexual assault.
•  Victims of sexual assault may recant or decline
prosecution for various reasons (e.g. fear of
retaliation by the offender, concern about not being
believed, hesitancy regarding the criminal justice
system, and loss of privacy). A victim’s reluctance
to participate is neither indicative of a false report
nor reason to forego a strong, evidence-based
investigation.
•  Case coding and clearance decisions should be
based on careful analysis of evidence identified
through an investigation.

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Case Cleared: An open case is investigated
and proceeds through the criminal justice
system, or no formal charges are issued due to
elements beyond law enforcement control (i.e.
death of offender, prosecutor declines to take
the case after an offender has been identified,
offender is arrested but will be prosecuted in a
different jurisdiction).
Case Inactivated/Unsubstantiated
Report: A case is removed from the active
caseload but remains technically open pending
possible future investigative developments.
Information Report: Incident that does not
currently meet the elements of a crime but
the information is filed/preserved for future
evidence or criminal connections.
Case Unfounded: An investigation
shows that an offense was not committed or
attempted. Cases can be coded as unfounded
because they are either baseless or false.
Unfounded, baseless: A case does
not meet the elements of a crime or was
improperly coded as a sexual assault.
Unfounded, false: Evidence obtained
through an investigation shows that a crime
was not committed or attempted.

 Report Writing
Strong sexual assault cases require strong written reports. A thorough report will identify
on-scene evidence and document details from the victim’s and suspect’s accounts of the
incident. This will assist those investigating to overcome consent challenges and serve to
refresh memories for court testimony. A high level of detail in the report and in the officer
narrative will help move a case towards prosecution.
•  Create a timeline to show trauma/post-assault
behavior of the victim in context of previous
behavior. For example, document dramatic physical
changes such as weight loss/gain or reported
changes in daily routines and/or work performance.

When writing the report:
Ask the victim to describe the assault, listing
as many details and feelings as possible.
•  It is critical to capture the details necessary to
establish elements such as premeditation/grooming
behavior by the perpetrator, coercion, threats and/
or force, and traumatic reaction during and after
the incident (e.g. demeanor, emotional response,
changes in routines or habits).

Document all information given by the
victim, even if it does not cast them in the
best light.
•  The reality is that victims who may be judged as
unreliable witnesses may have been chosen by the
perpetrator for that reason.

•  Document the elements of the crime by asking the
victim to tell you what they thought, felt, and feared
at the time of the assault.
–– What was the victim experiencing before, during,
and after the sexual assault?
–– What did the victim see, smell, taste, hear, or
touch during the incident?

•  Use the victim’s exact words and place those words
in quotations. Do not sanitize or “clean-up” the
language used by the victim. Altered language may
be used against the victim or officer in court.
•  Every effort should be made to exclude officer
opinion in the written report and to avoid asking
leading questions. This can compromise the integrity
of the entire report and the credibility of the victim
and officer. It is normal for a victim to not know or
remember complete details; do not try to fill in the
gaps for them.

•  Document the victim’s condition as observed.
•  Fully document fear by recording all fight, flight, or
freeze reactions the victim exhibited. For example,
the victim may describe feeling unable to move.
•  Silence is not consent. “No” or resistance is
communicated through more than just words. Detail
and corroborate what “No” looked or felt like for
the individual victim in your report (e.g. looking away,
closing eyes, positioning or moving body).

•  If the victim was incapacitated as a result of
voluntary alcohol or drug use, show why this is an
issue of increased vulnerability rather than culpability.

Report Writing Considerations and Potential Suspect Defenses
The following are four common sexual assault defenses and strategies to counter these defenses in the
written case report.
Denial: Collect and document evidence to establish that (nonconsensual) sexual contact did occur
Identity: Collect and preserve DNA samples from the victim and suspect, and other physical evidence
from the crime scene(s); document witness statements
Consent: Document fear, force, threat, coercion and/or inability to consent
Impeachment by Contradiction: Document any changes in victim/witness statements, especially as
additional details are recalled following the initial trauma/shock of the assault
Note: Because the majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows (even if
just briefly or casually), the difficulties in prosecution are not based upon whether the correct suspect has
been identified or sexual contact occurred. The burden for the prosecution is proving that the act was nonconsensual (i.e. the perpetrator claims that the contact was consensual).

 

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If the facts obtained from the investigation
indicate use of force by the perpetrator,
document using language that reflects this.
•  If at some point a consensual encounter turned nonconsensual, ask the victim to describe details about
how and when the perpetrator’s behavior changed.
•  Documentation should reflect a lack of consent.
Avoid wording that implies consent. For instance,
“he forced his penis into her vagina” denotes lack
of consent while “he had sex with her” implies
consensual intercourse.
•  In documenting force, be specific. “He threatened
me” is vague. List the specific threats that were
made, tones used, gestures and/or looks given.
•  Victims may not be able to resist physically. This
may be an indicator of force or fear and should be
documented.
•  Perpetrators of sexual assault generally use only as
much violence as needed to attain submission. Force

or violence may not be overt if the perpetrator can
commit the crime by using lesser means (i.e. a weapon
isn’t needed when you can use threats, alcohol, etc.)
•  The mere presence of a perpetrator and/or the verbal
tactics they employ can be seen as force and should be
documented as such. An example of this is the Use of
Force Continuum utilized by law enforcement that starts
with the mere presence of an officer, followed by verbal
commands. Should an individual comply with either of
these, no additional force would be needed or justified.
If your department has specialized
investigators:
•  The first responder should conduct a preliminary
interview gathering just enough information to
determine whether the elements of a crime have
been met and by whom.
•  The in-depth interview should be left to the investigator
in order to decrease account repetition and reduce
the possibility of inconsistent information that could be
used against the victim’s credibility in court.

Victim Interview
Due to the particularly intimate and intrusive nature of sexual assault, the interview process
may be difficult both for the victim and the officer. Recognize the significance the victim’s initial
contact with first responders and investigators will have on their trust in the criminal justice
system. The treatment the victim receives during the interview may impact the victim’s decision
to go forward with the case.
To gather information from the victim, it is important to:
Respect the victim’s immediate priorities.
•  Attend to the victim’s immediate health and safety
concerns and questions about reporting and the
criminal justice process before beginning the interview.
•  Victims have a right to accept or decline all services.
This does not mean that a thorough investigation
should not be conducted.
•  Help victims gain back a sense of control by
involving them in the decision of when and where
to hold the interview.
Build a rapport with the victim.
•  Victims may know little about the investigative
process and may find the criminal justice system
confusing, intimidating, or even frightening. Explain
all processes during each step of the interview and
investigation. This creates transparency and trust for
the victim while helping to restore the victim’s sense
of control.

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•  Assure the victim that they will not be judged and that
the information reported is being taken seriously.
•  Victims of sexual assault often blame themselves.
Reassure victims that, regardless of their behavior, no
one has the right to sexually assault them.
Ask the victim if they would like to have a
support person present for the interview.
•  It is best practice to allow victims to have an advocate
or a support person of their choosing present during
the medical exam and/or law enforcement interview.
Ask the victim privately who they would like present
and take action to support their wishes.
•  While victims are entitled to have someone with them
during the interview, look for signs of:
–– Hesitation from the victim in revealing all of the
details of the assault in front of someone with whom
they are close, like a spouse or parent.
–– Controlling or intimidating behavior by the support
person towards the victim.
•  Provide victims with written contact information for
community referrals.

 Forensic Medical Exam Payment
Under a provision of the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2005 (U.S.C.A. § 3796gg), states must ensure that
victims of sexual assault have access to a forensic medical exam, free of charge or with full reimbursement,
even if the victim chooses not to report the crime to the police or otherwise participate with law enforcement
authorities or the criminal justice system.
To be eligible for VAWA S.T.O.P. formula grant funds, all states must be able to certify in good faith that
they are in compliance with the statutory eligibility requirements within VAWA on or before January 5, 2009.
Information about this 2005 statute and additional up-to-date information is available at:
www.mcasa.org/C/4/C4.htm or at www.ovw.usdoj.gov/docs/FAQ_FINAL_nov_21_07.pdf

•  It is important to note that the 2005 federal Violence
Against Women Act has mandated that jurisdictions
will no longer be eligible for S.T.O.P. formula grant
funds if their policy or practice is to ask or require
adult, youth, or child victims of sexual assault to
submit to a polygraph examination or other truth
telling device as a condition for taking the report,
proceeding with the investigation of the crime, or
pursuing charges.

Recognize the impact of trauma and how
this affects an individual’s behavior.
•  People react differently to trauma. Lack of emotion
or the presence of emotion is not an indicator of the
legitimacy of the assault, and either is common.
•  Research shows that most victims of sexual assault
never make a report to law enforcement. Of the
victims who report, the majority do so after some
delay. A delay in reporting should never deter a
thorough investigation. A skillful prosecutor will
be able to overcome any disadvantage a delay in
reporting might cause when making the case in court.

Provide victims with information on how
to obtain medical treatment and undergo a
forensic exam.
•  Explain the medical significance of a sexual assault
forensic examination, including testing for sexually
transmitted infections and HIV.

•  Most victims experience continuing trauma which
may affect their physical, emotional, social, and
economic state of being.

•  Notify the victim of locations where a sexual assault
forensic examination is available in the community. If
department policy allows, transport the victim to the
local rape crisis center or hospital.

•  Victims may experience difficulty remembering all
the details of the sexual assault due to traumatic
response. This does not mean they are lying or
leaving out details intentionally. Often with time and
as trauma recedes, details will emerge.

•  Should a victim initially decline a forensic medical
examination, provide information as to where the victim
may obtain an exam at a later time.

•  After sufficient time to conduct a thorough
investigation, schedule a follow-up interview to
gather any information the victim may have missed
or not recalled earlier and to ask about or clarify
additional information learned.
–– Unless there are exigent circumstances requiring
an arrest or identification, delaying the follow-up
interview will generally enhance the investigation and
the quality of information obtained.

•  Physical evidence can be collected up to 120 hours
(in some states) following a sexual assault. The victim
should be advised, however, that critical physical
evidence and documentation of injuries may be lost
with a delayed exam.
Do not pressure the victim to make any
decisions regarding participation in the
investigation or prosecution during the
initial interview or initial stages of the
investigation.

Do not polygraph victims.
•  The practice of submitting victims of sexual assault
to a polygraph exam intimidates victims and destroys
the trust victims and the community have with law
enforcement. Polygraphing negatively affects law
enforcement’s chance to successfully investigate
sexual assault crimes.

•  Sexual assault victims are often reluctant to actively
participate with case proceedings. Document any
information the victim shares, as this may aid in the
identification and apprehension of a serial offender.

 

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•  A victim’s right to change their mind regarding
moving forward with the investigation and
prosecution should only be constrained by the
statute of limitations. Even then, the victim may
serve as a witness in another case involving the
same suspect, so an interview and investigation
should always be conducted.

•  Pressuring a reluctant victim to sign a form stating
that they are not interested in prosecution and
will not hold the agency accountable for stopping
the investigation is poor practice and is potentially
damaging to an agency.
•  Victim follow-up builds trust with victims and sends
a message to the community about the seriousness
with which an agency handles sexual assault crimes.

Suspect Interrogation
While investigative emphasis has historically focused on the victim’s behavior, the reality of these
crimes is that the suspect is often known to the victim and thus can be identified easily. An effective
investigation will concentrate on gathering as much evidence as possible on the suspect.
Focus the investigation on the suspect
rather than the victim.
•  As with other crimes, focus should remain on the
suspect, not on the victim’s character, behavior,
or credibility.
•  If the suspect invokes the constitutional right
to remain silent, investigating officers must still
evaluate the circumstances of the assault in order
to anticipate the suspect’s defense strategy.
Allow the suspect ample opportunity to give
an account of the incident.
•  Many perpetrators of sexual assault will provide
information in an attempt to justify their actions.

•  Pretext phone calls are a strong tool to be
considered when the victim and suspect know
each other. The transcript from a monitored call can
provide useful evidence as facts are corroborated
and the suspect makes admissions or gives
improbable statements. (See Resources, page 8)
Obtain consent or acquire a court order
to secure a suspect forensic exam for
probative evidence.
•  Like the victim, the suspect’s body carries evidence
and can potentially confirm aspects of the victim’s
account (e.g. identifying marks, injuries).
•  In some jurisdictions, a suspect forensic exam can be
done incident to arrest or by requesting a court order
for non-testimonial evidence.

Non-Stranger Sexual Assault
It is important for law enforcement to recognize that “stranger rape” (when the perpetrator is a complete
stranger to the victim) is not the norm. 2005 Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that 73% of reported
female rape or sexual assault victims were assaulted by someone they knew. A non-stranger can be
anyone who is in some way known to the victim. While it may be someone with whom the victim has had
a long-standing relationship or friendship, it could also be someone who has made himself known to the
victim within hours of the assault or someone who has established a casual acquaintance.

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 Investigation
Strong sexual assault investigations are supported by physical evidence and do not rely solely
on the victim or the perceived credibility of the victim. Remember, the overall intent of any
investigation is to be fair, balanced, and thorough. Gather all physical and testimonial evidence.
•  Prior victims should be interviewed and their
statements included in the current investigation.

Build trust by partnering with the victim,
showing respect, and remaining nonjudgmental.

Do not overlook the importance of witness
statements/testimony.

•  A victim-centered approach will aid the interview
process and allow for as much evidence to be
gathered as possible.

•  Victims will often confide in someone (e.g. a close
friend). These individuals are considered “outcry
witnesses” and their statement can provide
powerful corroboration.

•  In most cases the suspect is familiar to the victim,
so the victim may be able provide corroborating
details and evidence.

•  Suspects often boast or brag about their sexual
encounters to a friend or friends. These individuals
are also considered “outcry witness” and their
statement(s) can provide powerful corroboration
of the details of the assault.

•  Remind the victim that, due to the nature of trauma,
it is typical not to remember all of the details of the
sexual assault. Think out loud with the victim to
identify new information in the victim’s account that
may be used as evidence. This process may help jog
additional memories.

Keep in mind the co-occurring nature of
violence against women crimes. What other
crimes may have been committed?

Thoroughly investigate and document the
suspect’s conduct prior to the assault.

•  Sexual assault may occur in the context of
domestic violence.

•  Grooming behavior which may be indicative of
premeditation is often used to test, select, and
isolate victims and to make the potential victim feel
comfortable and able to trust the perpetrator.
–– Why did the suspect choose this victim?
What might make her/him less credible and/or
more vulnerable?
–– How did the suspect create a situation to
build trust?
–– Did the suspect monitor the victim physically
or through electronic means?
–– What was the role of alcohol and/or drugs?
–– Did the suspect isolate or attempt to isolate
the victim?
–– Why was the specific location for the
assault chosen?

•  Monitoring and surveillance are often pre-cursors
to sexual assault. Look to see if stalking charges
may apply.
•  Remain open to the possibility of drug-facilitated
sexual assault. Victims of a drug-facilitated assault
may report black-outs, gaps in time and memory,
and a general uncertainty as to whether or not an
assault occurred.
•  Additional crimes to look for include: theft, property
damage, false imprisonment, human trafficking,
kidnapping, abduction, administering an illegal
substance, poisoning, witness tampering, etc.
Ensure every report, including every
information report, is reviewed.

•  Sexual assault cases are typically portrayed as “he
said/she said” but in reality are often “he said/they
said” cases. Perpetrators of this crime frequently
have a history of acts of sexual violence. Previously
unreported offenses may be found by interviewing the
suspect’s social circles, current and former partners.

•  Establish and train officers on guidelines and
procedures adopted by the agency.
•  Create a system to review the coding and clearing
of sexual assault cases with particular attention to
reports determined to be false or unfounded.

 

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Working With Vulnerable Populations
Predators prey upon the vulnerabilities of others; therefore, victimization is often higher among certain populations.
When investigating a sexual assault, be aware of particular issues that may face certain populations (i.e. age,
culture, disabilities, gender, language) and how this might affect the way a victim makes decisions and responds to
law enforcement.
Examples of vulnerable populations include:
•  American Indians
•  Immigrants, documented and undocumented
•  Individuals in prostitution
•  Individuals with disabilities
•  Individuals with substance addictions
•  Individuals with limited English proficiency
•  Individuals who have previously been sexually assaulted
•  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals
•  Minors
•  Senior citizens
A few tips to keep in mind:
•  Not all disabilities are visible. Victims may have physical, sensory, or mental disabilities, or a combination of disabilities.
•  Culture can influence how people view or understand “sexual assault” and feel about law enforcement. Be aware
that beliefs about gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, race, religion, etc. may vary greatly between cultures.
•  Questions about sexual assault are very intimate and may be difficult to discuss. Such a personal violation may
create feelings of embarrassment and shame. These feelings may be intensified in some cultures such as those
where the loss of virginity prior to marriage can be socially devastating.
•  American Indian communities may have their own laws regarding sexual assault in addition to or in place of
relevant state or federal laws.
•  If English is not the victim’s first language, offer to arrange unbiased, independent translation. Do not rely on
family members, children, the suspect, or any other associated parties to serve as an interpreter.
•  Those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identified may have specific privacy needs depending on
whether the individual is “out” to others in their lives. Sensitivity and awareness about the particular obstacles
and barriers victims of same-sex sexual assault face in reporting is of critical importance.

IACP Resources
To obtain electronic or printed copies of the following resources
at no cost, visit www.theiacp.org or email stopviolence@
theiacp.org.
Tools
•  IACP Sexual Assault Supplemental Report Form, 2008
Model Policy
•  Investigating Sexual Assault, IACP Model Policy & Concepts
and Issues Paper, 2005
Training Keys
•  “Investigating Sexual Assault Part I: Elements of Sexual Assault
& Initial Response”, IACP Training Key # 571, 2004
•  “Investigating Sexual Assault Part II: Investigative Procedures”,
IACP Training Key # 572, 2004
•  “Investigating Sexual Assault Part III: Investigative Strategy &
Prosecution”, IACP Training Key # 573, 2004
•  “Pretext Phone Calls in Sexual Assault Investigations”, IACP
Training Key # 574, 2004

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Every effort has been made to ensure
that this document reflects the most
current thinking and comprehensive
information on the crime of sexual
assault. A wide array of feedback was
solicited, and many subject matter
experts contributed their knowledge.
In particular, we appreciate and
acknowledge the contributions of:
Joanne Archambault, Kim Lonsway,
and Anne Munch.
This project was supported by grant no.
2005-WT-AX-K077 awarded by the Office on
Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of
Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and
recommendations expressed in this publication are
those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the Department of Justice, Office on
Violence Against Women