Although forensic sexual assault examinations of suspects do not involve victim advocates, advocates should be aware that SANEs sometimes conduct suspect examinations to recover evidence from a suspect’s body and clothing that can establish the identity of the victim and corroborate the victim’s identification of the assailant. These examinations can only be done upon consent of the suspect or by law enforcement obtaining a search warrant compelling the suspect’s participation in the examination.

For example, a suspect examination can document the suspect’s clothing, appearance, identifying physical characteristics and anomalies, tattoos, scars, piercings, smell, etc. that can corroborate the victim’s description of the assailant. There may be marks on the suspect’s body where the victim bit, kicked, scratched, or otherwise injured the suspect that can help demonstrate lack of consent.

If the victim’s medical forensic sexual assault examination preceded the suspect examination, the victim’s account of the assault can inform that examination. Information about, for example, the location of the assault and whether the victim scratched or bit the assailant, can guide the SANE to look for certain types of foreign materials on the suspect’s clothing, and injuries on the suspect’s body.

A few states have established protocols for suspect examinations. Consult your agency’s state-specific supplemental guide to see if your state is among them.