Private investigators are able to handle sexual assault crimes. While a PI can handle any level of sexual assault crime, the severity of the sex crime is determined by the jurisdiction.
It can even go beyond jurisdiction meaning that the state may want to handle the crime. This depends on local social and cultural attitudes towards the crime once word gets out. Having increased pressure from the public can impact how the case is handled and by whom.
A Private Investigator can be hired by parents, spouses, friends, employers, and others to look into a sexual assault claim. While law enforcement are bound by jurisdiction, sometimes making it difficult to uncover all of the information, Private Investigators are not bound by such a parameter. This means that a PI is able to travel anywhere and speak with anyone connected to the crime. Borders do not prevent a Private Investigator from getting the information needed to advance the case.
Sex crime investigations are notoriously slow moving, mostly because it can be difficult getting the victim to divulge details, understandably so. While experience and knowledge from a Private Investigator are of the utmost importance, there is a human element to handling such crimes. PI’s will also need to be highly sensitive to the nature of the crime. The victim has already experienced enough grief and it is an important and delicate role the Private Investigator has to conduct when interacting with the victim.
The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting act of 2013, also known as SAFER, recommends a best practices and protocols involving collection and processing of DNA samples to examine for evidence of sexual assault. The 150-page book was developed by a working group of experts from the National Institute of Justice. They worked with:
- Law enforcement agencies
- Forensic labs
- Medical examiners
The Private Investigator’s goal will always be to conduct the investigation legally, ethically, and sensitively to make the process smooth for the victim and the family. They will also use any and all modern advances.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding an investigation into a sex crime you believe has been committed, please do not hesitate to contact CIAPI, and we will gladly answer your questions.
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication at the time it was written. It is not intended to provide legal advice or suggest a guaranteed outcome. Individual situations will differ and the law may have changed since publication. Readers considering legal action should consult with an attorney to understand current laws and how they may affect a case.