Investigating Sexual Assault
When sex crimes are reported to police departments in Utah, it can lead to some very challenging investigations that require officers to have an advanced understanding of forensic areas as well as interpersonal skills for dealing with alleged victims who may be dealing with traumatic responses. Many sexual offenses involve disputes about whether sexual activity was, in fact, consensual, and how investigations are handled can be critical in determining whether or not to charge a person with a criminal offense.
In most cases of alleged rape, sodomy, or sexual assault, alleged victims will be asked to undergo a forensic exam in which a sexual assault kit—a package of items that is used by medical personnel to gather and preserve biological and physical evidence following an allegation of sexual assault—allows critical evidence to be collected. Police officers typically attempt to also collect evidence from the scene of the alleged offense, but some of the most critical forms of evidence in these types of cases come from the statements made by alleged offenders when interviewed by authorities.
Attorney in Salt Lake City Discusses Investigating Sexual Assault
If you were arrested or believe that you might be under investigation for rape, sodomy, or sexual assault in Utah, it is in your best interest to retain legal counsel before speaking to police. Susanne Gustin Attorney at Law aggressively defends clients in communities all over Salt Lake County and Weber County.
Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney Susanne Gustin can protect your rights and fight to possibly get any criminal charges reduced or dismissed. You can have our lawyer provide a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call (801) 243-2814 to receive a free initial consultation.
Utah Sexual Assault Investigations Information Center
Investigating Sexual Assault in Salt Lake County When Alleged Offender is Known
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), seven out of 10 rapes are committed by people known to victims. When the alleged offender in a rape, sodomy, or sexual assault case is known to the alleged victim, one of the primary concerns for authorities is collecting evidence indicating the use of force in the commission of the crime.
In many cases, the physical injuries that rape victims suffer can be relatively minor. Some case, however, may involve the following types of more serious injuries or harm:
- Extragenital injury;
- Genital injury;
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); and
Additional evidence that may be collected and used to connect an alleged offender to a crime includes blood stains, torn clothing, or the presence of semen on the alleged victim’s clothes or body. When an alleged victim bathes, changes clothes, or attempts to clean him or herself up in any way before submitting to a sexual assault kit, it can affect the evidence that is collected.
In some cases, the alleged victim may have known the alleged offender but may not be able to identify him or her by his or her full name. If you have been accused of a rape, sodomy, or sexual assault offense by somebody you know or once knew, do not attempt to explain yourself to authorities.
Exercise your right to remain silent and contact Susanne Gustin Attorney at Law as soon as possible. Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer Susanne Gustin can speak to police on your behalf and ensure that your constitutional rights are not violated during any investigation.
Investigating Sexual Assault in Utah When Alleged Offender is Unknown
If a rape, sodomy, or sexual assault offense is committed by a person unknown to the alleged victim, it can dramatically impact the nature of the law enforcement investigation. Crimes which are reported quickly after alleged offenses can prompt more aggressive searches for suspects when their possible whereabouts are more limited.
Police will generally need to obtain as much possible information about an alleged offender based almost solely on the description provided by the alleged victim (witnesses in some cases may provide additional details). The evidence collected with the sexual assault kit becomes even more critical in these types of cases because DNA samples can be compared perpetrator profiles to databases with thousands of profiles.
If you are suspected of a rape, sodomy, or sexual assault offense involving a person you have never met, do not say anything to authorities without first contacting Susanne Gustin Attorney at Law. Even if an alleged victim identifies you as being the perpetrator of a sex crime (possibly as the result of a police lineup), a person’s individual memories are never infallible and it can still be difficult to convict an identified person if the prosecutors does not have enough evidence to support the belief.
Utah Sexual Assault Investigation Resources
Sexual assault investigations | Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) — Visit this section of the SLCPD website to read about recent news relating to sexual assault. You can also view crime statistics and find online police report forms. You can also learn more about the SafeCam program, which allows businesses and homeowners to share or provide access to their video surveillance systems in the event of a criminal incident near them.
Salt Lake City Police Department
475 S. 300 E.
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 799-3000
Investigations | Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake — The Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake is the police department serving multiple cities and communities in Salt Lake County. On this section of the Unified Police Department’s website, you can learn more about the units within the Investigations Division of the department. The Violent Crimes Unit and Special Victims Unit both conduct investigations into sexual assault cases.
Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
3365 South 900 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
(385) 468-9901
Lawyer for Sexual Assault Investigation in Utah
Do you think that you could be under investigation or were you already arrested in Utah for an alleged rape, sodomy, or sexual assault offense? Make sure to contact Susanne Gustin Attorney at Law before you make a statement to authorities.
Susanne Gustin is an experienced criminal defense lawyer who represents individuals in Weber County and Salt Lake County. Call (801) 243-2814 or submit an online contact form to have our attorney review your case and discuss all of your legal options during a free, confidential consultation.
This article was last updated by Jordan Anderson, on July 30th, 2018.