Things to Expect with a Forensic Exam
The following is a very brief description of some of the things you
can expect in terms of the forensic exam or "rape kit" -remember to
ask questions as you go along if you don't understand the purpose of
any of the steps, remember too that you can refuse any part of the
exam if you so choose.
- Hospital staff will do everything that they can to see you
as quickly as possible in a private, secluded area.
- You should try not to use the bathroom before the exam as
this may interfere with some aspects of evidence collection.
- You must give written consent to have the exam performed.
- You will be asked to give a general medical history (e.g.,
current medications, past illnesses, etc.)
- You will be asked to give an "Assault/Abuse History" (a very
detailed description of the assault)
- If you are wearing clothing you wore during the assault, you
will be asked to give it over as evidence.
- The nurse or doctor who is working with you will take
various "samples" from you (such as fingernail scrapings, hair
standards, oral swabs, etc.), this is for evidence collection as
well as to establish a difference between your DNA and any other
that is found.
- The nurse or doctor will also look at your body using a
"Woods Lamp" (a fluorescent lamp that allows us to see evidence
that we couldn't see with the naked eye).
- The final stage of the exam is a vaginal/penile exam in
which the nurse or doctor checks for injury and also conducts
evidence collection in this area.
- After the exam is complete, you should be permitted to wash
up using toiletries provided by the hospital. The hospital
should also have clothing for you to put on if you have given
your own clothing over as evidence.
|
