Policy Text
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced b y: Sgt. Andy Hall, Investigations Kath erine Lester, Chief of Police
Prepared by: Ofc. J ason Meier , PSU Volume 109
Documentation of Strangulation in Dom estic Violence Cases
07-06-2023
Studies show that strangulation is an early indicator for domestic violence- related homicides . Statistically,
people who have been victims of strangulation at the hands of an intimate partner are 750% more likely to be
killed by the same perpetrator than other victims of domestic violence.
It is important that officers are aware of the importance of thoroughly documenting domestic violence
strangulation incidents because they te nd to s how a sharp escalation in the severity of the violence wit hin the
relationship. Strangulation can also be a pre -indicator of violence against police officers.
During investigations , if officers are made aware that a victim was choked /strangled, they shoul d treat the
incident as a serious, violent attack and the f ire department should be request ed to medically exami ne the
victim. Often there are no visible signs the victim was strangled, but ther e are many other indicators that
should be investiga ted. Offi cers should ask and notate :
• W hether the victim’s breathing changed or was aff ected.
• W hethe r it was hard for the vic tim to swallow.
• If the victim experienced dizziness, nausea, headaches, feeling disor iented or fe eling faint / light -
headed
• If the v ictim experienced coughing, urination, vomiting or dry heaving
• If the victim experienced any changes to their vis ion, such as “seeing stars ” or experienced blurr ed
vision .
• If the victim felt tingling in lips, a rms, and legs .
• Wh ether the victim’s voice is r aspy or h oarse.
Visible signs of strangulation include:
• Petechiae, ( can occur on the earlobes, eyelids, eyes, lips, cheeks, behind the ears , etc.) which may not
be visible until hours after the attack .
• Visible contus ions, abr asions, etc. on the neck/body.
It is im portant when attempting to discern the intent of the suspect what, if anything, they said before, during,
and after the assault. Any statem ents made by the suspect can be invaluable to a prosecution.
In cases invol ving strangulation and/or other serious injury officers should consider whether to refer the victim to
the BEAR C enter for a Domestic Assault Forensic Exam, or DAFE (pronounced “D affy”). This is a medical
exam, similar to an evidentiary exam for sexual ass ault, conducted at the BEAR center . DAFE’s are only
appropriate for victim s 12 years of age and over. These are available 24/7 at the BEAR C enter and require
supervisor approval.
Penal Code § 13730 mandates t hat domestic violence reports docu ment if the victim was strangled. This
includes whether any witness or victim reported any incident of strangulation or suffocation, whether any
victim s reported symptoms of strangulation or suffocation, or whether the o fficer observed any signs of
Roll Call Trainin g Bulletin
Produced by: Sgt. Andy Hall, Investigations Katherine Lester, Chief of Polic e
Prepared by: Ofc. Jason Mei er Volume 109
strangulation or suffocation. To ass ist officers in th is do cumentation a Strangulation Checklist (SPD 496) is
attached and available on AMS .
Examples of injuries to the neck:
Pe techi ae
The Sacramento Police Departm ent gratefully acknowledges Alliance for HOPE International for
allowing us to reproduce the above photographs .
Roll Call Trainin g Bulletin
Produced by: Sgt. Andy Hall, Investigations Katherine Lester, Chief of Polic e
Prepared by: Ofc. Jason Mei er Volume 109