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Subject: Investigation
of Sex Crimes |
Series Number
Change 304 06 Effective
Date November 14, 1973
Revision
Date * |
The purpose of this
order is to establish the policy and procedures for the investigation of sex
crimes and the function of the Sex Offense Branch, Criminal Investigations
Division. This order consists of the following parts:
PART I Responsibilities and Procedures for Members of
the Department
PART II Responsibilities and Procedures for Special
Assignment Personnel
PART I
A. Preliminary Investigations.
Members of the force who arrive on the
scent of a sex crime are responsible
for the preliminary investigation and immediate notification of the Sex Offense Branch. The preliminary
investigation shall be conducted in
the following sequence:
1. If
needed, render immediate, necessary first aid and
arrange for emergency medical
treatment.
2. Briefly,
interview the victim to determine if a crime has
been committed.
3. Arrest
the perpetrator if on the scene, in view, or in the
immediate vicinity.
4. Ascertain
description of assailant and broadcast lookout,
if appropriate.
5. Notify
the Sex Offense Branch and Crime Scene Examination
Section, Identification and Records
Division.
6. Isolate
the victim and complete PD Form
7. Preserve
the crime scene.
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Effective Date |
Page Number |
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General
Order 304.06 |
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November
14, 1973 |
2
of 4 |
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8. Canvass
the immediate area for witnesses and record their names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Witnesses should be .quested to
remain on the scene until the arrival of the Sex Offense Branch representative if at all
possible. If not, the aforementioned identification
shall be given to the investigators.
B. Conduct.
1. Members of the force shall ask only the necessary questions to enable them to determine the type of crime and to obtain information necessary for a lookout. They shall not question the victim in detail about the incident. They shall refrain from expressing any personal opinion during the course of the investigation as to whether or not a sex offense has been committed. Members of the force are expressly forbidden to undertake any physical examination of the victim in alleged sex cases, except as may be necessary to administer emergency first aid.
2. Preliminary
questioning shall be conducted by one officer who is responsible for the
preparation of PD Form 251. It is not necessary for the victim to be
interviewed by several officers, officials, and/or district investigators. This
is not intended to inhibit the initial interview, but recognizes the severe
emotional stress suffered by victims of forceful sex acts.
C. Contact With Victims.
When it is necessary to interview or contact a victim after the initial preliminary investigation, officers shall first contact the Sex Offense Branch, as some of the victims do not wish friends or relatives to know of the assault. When photographs of suspects are shown to the victim, the Sex Offense Branch shall be notified, as this information is necessary for the court presentation. Officers shall use discretion when taking suspects back to the location of the crime to be viewed by the victim as this could contaminate the crime scene.
D. Arrest for Homosexuality or Perversion
Offenses.
When a person is charged with an act of homosexuality or perversion, to include disorderly conduct as the result of an act of homosexuality or perversion, the Prostitution and Perversion Branch, Morals Division, shall be furnished with an extra copy of PD Form 163 (Prosecution Report) so that this branch can maintain up—to—date records.
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Effective Date |
Page Number |
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General
Order 304.06 |
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November
14, 1973 |
3
of 4 |
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PART II
A. Sex Offense Branch.
1. The Sex Offense Branch, Criminal Investigations Division, shall investigate and prepare for prosecution all cases of rape, carnal knowledge, incest, bigamy, forcible sodomy, indecent acts committed on children under the age of 16 years, and assault with the intent to commit any of these offenses. in addition, this branch shall be assigned to the investigation of all acts of perversion, not felonies, committed against or in the presence of children. The Sex Offense Branch shall be notified immediately of all sex offenses and acts of perversion as prescribed in this order so that they may maintain proper records and files in such cases.
2. The
Sex Offense Branch shall maintain complete files on all persons arrested for
sex offenses irrespective of the degree of the crime, as well as complete files
on all reports of rape, carnal knowledge, incest, bigamy, forcible sodomy,
indecent acts committed on children under the age of 16, and assaults with the
intent to commit any of these offenses. When reports are received of sex
offenses which this branch has the responsibility to investigate, it shall be
the duty of the official in charge of the Sex Offense Branch to assign one or
more members of this branch to the investigation of the report. The officer or
officers so assigned shall make written reports on the progress of the
investigation to include the names of suspects, names of persons arrested, and
the disposition of the charges placed against the defendant. The Sex Offense
Branch shall be required to prepare for prosecution all sex offenses defined in
this order; however, this shall not be construed as relieving any member of
this department from the responsibility of rendering all possible assistance to
the Sex Offense Branch in the investigation of the case and the subsequent
prosecution of the defendant.
3. Whenever
possible, Sex Offense Branch cruisers shall be staffed with a male and a female
officer so that victims have the opportunity to he interviewed by either a male
or female investigator. All injuries received by female victims shall only be
photographed under the exclusive direction of a member of the Sex Offense
Branch. The victim shall be advised by the members of the Sex Offense Branch as
to the follow—up of the medical examination and the proper procedure necessary
for prosecution in court.
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Effective Date |
Page Number |
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General
Order 304.06 |
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November
14, 1973 |
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4. All
persons charged with any sex ‘offense, including homosexuality or other acts of
perversion, shall be sent to the Identification Branch for photographing and
fingerprinting before being released on bond or collateral. Such persons, when
taken to the Identification Branch, shall be accompanied by a PD Form 163 which
shall be complete in detail, setting forth the nature of the crime. the method
employed in its commission, the age and sex of the person against whom it was
committed, and any other information which might be of value in identifying the
person arrested with a specific "modus operandi," such as rapist,
sodomist, intercourse with daughter, fondler, exhibitionist, etc.
B. Medical
Examination.
1. As part of our departmental investigations, all alleged victims in rape cases shall be examined by a physician, preferably a resident gynecologist. The victim shall he advised that she can be transported to the hospital of her choice, but then she is subject to billing for hospital services if examined at any hospital other than D. C. General. The victim may be accompanied to the hospital by a friend or relative if she so desires. If the victim is injured, she will immediately be transported to a hospital. The investigating officer of the Sex Offense Branch shall accompany the victim to the hospital, prepare the proper medical forms, relate to the examining physician the circumstances of the incident as then known, and alert the physician to the need for appropriate notations in order to facilitate any corroborating testimony that may later be required of
2. Whenever
a victim under the age of 18 makes a report of a sexual assault or is to be
examined at any hospital in the District of Columbia for such an assault, the
Sex Offense Branch investigator shall notify a parent or guardian as soon as
possible.
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