Forensic Exams

Survivors often think—or are told—that it is impossible to conduct a forensic exam if you have already showered and/or changed your clothes. In fact, medical professionals can find physical evidence of the assault even several days afterwards. If you have already showered, please do not be discouraged, and call 911.

While preserving forensic evidence of the crime can be important to building a case against your assailant, these exams can be difficult experiences. Survivors have described forensic exams as retraumatizing and intrusive. If you can, please consider asking a friend to take you to the hospital and home afterwards so you feel more comfortable.

It is also important to note that forensic exams are not just about evidence collection, but providing survivors with medical care and resources. Survivors can choose to get a forensic exam, even if they don’t plan to or aren’t sure whether they want to report.

Check out the video below to learn more about forensic exams from our Q&A with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Leah Helmbrecht.