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Forensic Examination

If your doctor and crisis worker think it is the right thing to do, they will ask you if you will have a forensic examination. Forensic examinations are used to collect evidence of what happened in the assault and about your assailant.

What does a forensic examination involve?

It involves performing a “top to toe” physical examination. It may include a genital (private parts) examination. Exactly which areas of your body are examined depends on what has happened to you.

The doctor examines you for any injuries such as cuts and bruises. She makes careful notes of where they are, and what they look like.

She may take samples, using cotton wool swabs, from your skin and from areas involved in the assault, such as the vagina, anus or mouth. (These swabs can then be used by the police to obtain DNA evidence.)

You may also be asked to give blood and urine samples.

The clothes that you were wearing at the time of the assault may be sent to the police laboratory for examination and then kept as evidence.

You should allow at least 2-3 hours for the whole process.

What happens afterwards?

The doctor explains her findings to you and you can ask her any questions you have.
If you would like to have a shower after the examination, the havens have private bathroom facilities. We can also provide you with new clothes if your own clothes have been taken away as evidence.

What happens to the evidence?

If you come to the havens with the police, they will keep the samples taken during the forensic examination for testing. Any information and results obtained are police evidence. The police will then liaise directly with you about their findings.

If you come to the havens without having contacted the police, you have control over the evidence samples. If you agree, we can give them to the police for testing without disclosing your identity. If the tests produce results, we will let you know and help you decide what to do next. Alternatively, you also have the option of storing the samples at The Havens, if you need more time to decide what to do.

The staff will discuss all of these options fully with you.