Forensic medical examinations in sexual assault cases: Evidence from los angeles

In Los Angeles County, victims of sexual assault who report to the police within 72 hours of the incident are given the option of a forensic medical examination, completed by a specially-trained forensic nurse examiner. The purpose of the exam is to evaluate and treat injuries and to collect evidence that can be used to identify the suspect and corroborate the victim's testimony. The purpose of this presentation is to identify the factors that lead sexual assault victims to refuse forensic medical examinations, to describe the evidence obtained from cases in which exams were conducted, and to determine the effects of forensic medical examinations on sexual assault case outcomes. We use detailed data, including data obtained from reports of forensic medical examinations, on 650 sexual assaults involving female victims over the age of 12 that were reported to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to address these issues and to develop policy recommendations for improving the likelihood that victims will agree to forensic medical examinations and that the results of these examinations will aid in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases.