Policy Text
1 San Francisco Police Department 6.16
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 08/06/08
SEXUAL ASSAULTS
This order establishes policies rega rding investigations of sexual a ssault cases involv ing both adults
and juveniles, and includes procedures for investigating, gathering evid ence, obtaining medical
treatment, and preparing incident reports.
I. POLICY
A. INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.
1. The Special Victims/Child Abuse Section of the Juvenile Division is responsible for the
investigation of any type of sexual abuse, sexual assault or sexual molestation involving a
victim under 14 years of age. The Child A buse Section is also responsible for the
investigation of any type of se xual assault, sexual battery or unlawful intercourse involving a
victim between the ages of 14 and 17 when th e perpetrator is a family member or in a
position of trust with respect to the victim, i.e ., coach, teacher, care-provider, trusted family
friend. Special Victims/Child Abuse Section also handles incest cas es involving a victim
under 18.
2. The Sexual Assault Section of the Investig ations Bureau- Bureau of Inspectors is
responsible for the investigati on of any type of sexual assault, sexual battery or incest
involving a victim 18 years of age or older. Th e Sexual Assault Section is also responsible
for the investigation of any type of sexual assault, sexual battery, or unlawful intercourse
involving a victim between the ages of 14 to 17 when the pe rpetrator is not a family
member or adult in a position of trust with re spect to the victim, i.e., stranger, boyfriend,
acquaintance, etc. In rape cases with more than one victim, if vi ctims are both under and
over 14 years of age, assignment will be made on a case-by-case basis
3. The Domestic Violence Response Unit and th e Sex Crimes Detail may be assigned the
investigation of cases when an individual alleges being the victim of both sexual assault and
domestic violence. In all ca ses the Commanding Officer of the Sex Crimes Detail and the
Commanding Officer of the Domestic Violen ce Response Unit shall meet and confer. The
Commanding Officers may assign the investigation to the deta il best suited for a successful
investigation and prosecution. The protocol for Investigative Deta il assignment is, as
follows:
a. If the crime(s) occurred within 72 hours of being reported the case will be assigned to the
Sex Crimes Detail.
b. In cases of domestic violence involving li fe threatening injury or great bodily injury, the
case will be assigned to the Do mestic Violence Response Unit.
2 DGO 6.16
Rev. 08/06/08
c. In cases when the subject alleges a sexual assault which occurred four or more days prior
and a more recent allegation of domestic violence is alleged, the cas e will be assigned to
the Domestic Violence Response Unit.
d. In cases of an allegation of both sexual assault and domestic violence, an Inspector from
Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Response Unit may be assigned to work together on
the investigation.
II. PROCEDURES
A. FORENSIC EXAMINATION AND MEDICAL TREATMENT
1. JUVENILES. Sexual assault victims under 18 years of age will be taken to San
Francisco General Hospital as follows:
a. To the Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic , 6th floor, Main Building, during business
hours, or
b. The Emergency Department at all other times.
2. ADULTS. Sexual assault victims 18 years of age or older will be taken to San
Francisco General Hospital Emergency Department.
B. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND COLLEC TION OF EVIDENCE/RESPOSIBILITIES
OF REPORTING OFFICER
1. EVIDENCE COLLECTION. In addition to conducting a preliminary investigation,
respond to the crime scene and collect evidence (see DGO 6.02, Physical Evidence).
Each item of evidence must be placed in a separate property envelope (one item per
envelope), including evidence taken from the suspect. Do not leave any evidence
with the nurse or doctor ex amining the victim; however, slides and swabs used for
semen testing and sperm detection collected by the medical staff will be preserved and retained at SFGH.
2. NOTIFICATIONS
a. Notify the Crime Scene Investigations Unit when specializ ed techniques are
required to collect and preserve eviden ce, e.g., blood, semen, fingerprints, or
evidence that cannot be practically packaged.
b. Notify the Child Abuse Section or the Sexual Assault Section as appropriate.
Notify Operations Center after busin ess hours. Notifications to the
Investigative Details or Operations Center should be made as soon as
practical to ensure an expeditious response by the on-call inspector(s).
3 DGO 6.16
Rev.08/06/08
3. OTHER DUTIES/SERVICES
a. If requested, provide the victim with tran sportation to his/her residence or another
appropriate location wi thin San Francisco.
b. Give the victim the incident case number along with a Victim of Violent Crime
Notification form (see DGO 6.19, Victim of Violent Crime Notification).
C. INCIDENT REPORTS, INTERVIEWS AND RECORDS
1. STATEMENTS. In cases involving victims under 18 years of age, information may be taken
from the doctor or nurse examining the victim if interviewing the victim is impractical and there
is an extended delay fo r the medical examination.
2. INCIDENT REPORT