Day 1: Foundational Principles of Sex Crimes Investigation

Morning Session: Introduction and Baseline Knowledge

Welcome and Course Objectives

• • Overview of course structure and professional development goals.
  • Course objective: Equipping investigators to handle the complexities of sex crime investigations.

Understanding the Basics

• • Definition and classifications of sex crimes.
  • Differences between consensual, voluntary, and non‑consensual sexual contact.
  • Addressing misconceptions: force versus pressure, intoxication versus helplessness, and age of consent laws.

Victim Dynamics and Case Complexities

• • Real‑world statistics: acquaintance vs. stranger cases.
  • Challenges in investigating acquaintance cases.
  • Maintaining an open mind: avoiding preconceived notions and biases.

Afternoon Session: Initial Response to Sex Crimes

First Responder Responsibilities

• • Determining if a crime has occurred and preserving the crime scene.
  • Gathering initial evidence and interviewing all relevant parties.

Victim Interaction and Interviews

• • Establishing rapport with victims while addressing emotional and psychological trauma.
  • Effective intake procedures: gathering details without re‑traumatizing.

Afternoon Session: Building the Case Foundation

Introduction to Evidence Collection

• • Documenting injuries and collecting DNA evidence.
  • Importance of video evidence in corroborating victim accounts.

Outcry Witnesses

• • Role of outcry witnesses in the investigation.
  • Best practices for interviewing friends, family, and other potential witnesses.

Wrap‑Up and Q&A