Forensic Medical Exam

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The purpose of the forensic medical exam is to assess a victim’s health care needs, coordinate treatment of any injuries and collect evidence for potential use during case investigation and prosecution.  Since the body is the crime scene, evidence is time-sensitive and may only be present until the victim bathes, washes and/or urinates.

An examination by a health care provider is recommended even if (1) there are no visible injuries as a result of the assault, (2) the victim does not wish to have evidence collected, or (3) the assault was not recent. In these cases, the victim may have injuries that are not apparent or acute or have related health concerns.

A forensic medical examination is performed by specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) for the purpose of evaluation and treatment of trauma, treatment of possible exposure to infection, referral to counseling and follow-up medical care, and for the collection of evidence following a report of sexual assault by a victim. The medical well-being of the patient is the primary objective of the SANE at all times during the examination.