To Prevent, To Investigate, To Uphold and To Supply Law & Order: Rape and Rape Homicides

The rape is an brutal and ruthless attack, assault. To classify an act of sexual violence as rape there are three factors that have to be taken into account:

-          carnal knowledge;

-          force;

-          commission without consent.

To give a clear picture of rape all the three factors will be scientifically explained. Carnal knowledge is a slightest penetration of the labia minora by penis; ejaculation is not always present. Force may involve use of violence. The actual number of rapes is not know, the victims do not report it, they are afraid, ashamed. The police action is to prevent it and encourage women to be more careful, not so vulnerable. Any case of sexual assault has to be reported: Call Us! Stand for Yourself! We Help!

All rape victims know it is easier said than done! To regain trust and strength to keep going, in numerous cases, the trauma stays behind!

The rape id a unique problem not only for the victim, but, also for the physicians whose responsibility is a proper collection of evidence. To handle the case of rape correctly both medically and legally, there must be a coordination between the physicians examining the victim and the police. The victims are examined by experienced physicians, by specially trained forensic nurses, who, gather the pieces of evidence, have got a rape examination kit, there are also sets of questions the rape victim may but not necessary had to answer for. Bear in mind; written, witnessed consent should be obtained before the examination, the collection of specimens, taking photographs begin. Other woman should always be present. Prior the examination the name of the victim is recorded, her date of birth, as well as, the name and the badge of police officer(s). Residents are forbidden to hand over the examination of the rape victim. Rape is not a diagnosis it is a matter of jurisprudence.

Three important questions have to be asked:

1. Did the assailant’s penis penetrate the vulva?
2. Did the assailant experienced orgasm?
3. Did the assailant wear a condom?

Similar set of questions is asked in case of oral sex. Vertical drainage from the vagina is a vital piece of evidence containing DNA. The examiner retains the panty the victim was wearing, because, any drainage of semen into the panty can be collected and checked. All clothing is examined in search for stains, tears, missing buttons, dirt, gravel, grease, leaves …. While examining the body, the examiner will look for bruises, bites, lacerations. Hands are examined to see if the fingernails are broken. Is the pubic hair matted? Are there any foreign hairs mixed with the patient’s pubic hairs? The genitalia are examined for abrasions, lacerations, hematomas. All injuries are described. Remember! It is a very difficult procedure for the victim. It is difficult and painful! The swabs are taken in attempt to recover assailant’s saliva.

Absence of trauma does not exclude the rape. Please, do not negate the validity of the claims of rape. Following the examination, the patient is treated for her injuries, is given drugs for prevention of pregnancy, of prevention of venereal disease, repeating testing for AIDS has to be preformed over the next couple of months.

Rape homicides occur and are very vicious. They are also extremely difficult to solve. In rape homicides the cause of death is strangulation, stabbing, blunt force injuries,  mutilations of the body. At the crime scene the body should be touched as little as possible. Before the body is lifted and place into a plastic bag, the paper bags are place on hands to preserve trace evidence. They body is wrapped in a clan, white sheet in two purposes:

-          to prevent loss of evidence;

-          to prevent the body from picking up debris from the transporting vehicle.

The medical examiner should be thoroughly acknowledgeable as to the circumstance of the death;   an autopsy should never be conducted until the medical examiner fully understands the circumstances surrounding the death.

During the examination of the body the evidence is recovered from:

-          hands;

-          clothing;

-          body;

-          hair;

The first part of an autopsy concentrates on hands and the foreign material that might be found on hands and under fingernails. Medical tools such as a pair of scissors or clippers must be sterile, to avoid contamination. The second part is examining the clothing, it is carefully searched for fibers, hair, glass, paint, any other foreign material. All material is put into a separate envelope which is labeled with a deceased’s name, case number, date, what is present in, where it came from and who recovered it. The examination of the body itself is very thorough, in case of head trauma, the examiner will try to estimate what kind of tool was used.

                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsb8srNT2ZQ 

All procedures mentioned above are crucial to find victims’ assailant. The rape is horrendous and obnoxious crime, yet, not impossible to prove. The Police campaign to prevent sexual assaults is to warn women! Do not trust blindly Your friends! Do not follow someone You do not know! Trust No One but Yourself. Perhaps, it helps You to stay out for harm.

 Acknowledgements:

The Police Department;

https://www.politie.nl/mijnbuurt/politiebureaus/05/burgwallen.html  and a Chief Inspector – Mr.Erik Akerboom ©

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