SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMS
You have choices.
A sexual assault forensic exam can address medical needs, document injuries, and collect possible evidence after sexual violence.
For adults, evidence collection is generally recommended within 120 hours, or 5 days, after the assault.
Thinking about a forensic exam?
Call us before you go.
A SAAP advocate can explain your options and help connect you with the appropriate local facility. 1-866-828-7273HOW LONG DO I HAVE?
A forensic exam may be completed up to 120 hours after the assault.
That is 5 days. When possible, completing the exam sooner may help preserve some types of evidence.
If you are unsure how much time has passed, call SAAP rather than assuming you are too late.
Call 1-866-828-7273 →START HERE
Your safety and health come first.
After sexual violence, the first priority is getting somewhere you feel safe and addressing any immediate medical needs.
You do not have to decide whether you want to report to law enforcement before asking about a forensic exam.
Get somewhere safe.
Go somewhere you feel secure or be with someone you trust if that feels helpful.
Consider medical care.
Medical care can address injuries, health concerns, and possible forensic evidence.
Call SAAP.
We can explain your options and help connect you with an appropriate facility.
PRESERVING POSSIBLE EVIDENCE
If possible, some steps may help preserve evidence.
DNA and other evidence may be collected during a sexual assault forensic exam.
If you are considering an exam, avoiding certain activities beforehand may help preserve possible evidence.
Avoid bathing or showering if possible.
Avoid changing clothes if possible.
Avoid using the restroom if possible.
Avoid brushing your teeth if oral contact occurred.
Avoid brushing or combing your hair if possible.
Avoid cleaning areas where the assault occurred.
WHAT IS A FORENSIC EXAM?
It is medical care and possible evidence collection.
A sexual assault medical forensic exam is a specialized examination following sexual violence.
It may include a medical assessment, injury documentation, photographs, evidence collection, medications, and referrals for follow up care.
The exam is tailored to your medical needs, what happened, and what you consent to.
The exam is not all or nothing.
You may choose to participate in all or only part of the examination.
You can ask questions, pause, decline a step, or stop the exam.
WHO MAY PERFORM THE EXAM?
You may meet a SANE nurse.
SANE stands for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
A SANE is a registered nurse with specialized education and clinical preparation in caring for people who have experienced sexual assault.
Their role combines medical care with specialized forensic assessment, injury documentation, and evidence collection.
Assess injuries and medical concerns.
Explain the exam and ask for consent.
Collect and package forensic evidence.
Document injuries and take forensic photographs.
Discuss medications and follow up care.
Answer questions throughout the exam.
IF THE SURVIVOR IS A MINOR
The process for minors is different.
Forensic interviews and medical forensic examinations for minors are coordinated through a Children’s Advocacy Center.
The child may receive a specialized forensic interview with a trained professional and a medical forensic examination when appropriate.
If there is an immediate medical emergency, seek emergency medical attention.
If you are unsure what to do, contact SAAP and we can help explain the process.
WHAT MAY HAPPEN DURING THE EXAM
Every exam is different.
What happens depends on your health, what occurred, and which parts of the exam you choose to complete.
Medical History
The examiner may ask about your health, medications, and information relevant to the assault.
Head to Toe Assessment
Your body may be assessed for injuries or other medical concerns.
Evidence Collection
Evidence may include swabs, clothing, blood, urine, hair, or other samples.
Injury Documentation
Injuries may be documented using notes, diagrams, and photographs with your consent.
Genital Examination
An examination of areas where sexual contact occurred may be offered depending on the circumstances. You may accept or decline this part.
Medications + Follow Up
The examiner may discuss medications, STI concerns, pregnancy concerns, and recommended follow up care.
YOUR BODY. YOUR CHOICES.
You remain in control during the exam.
The examiner should explain what is happening and ask for consent throughout the process.
You can…
- Ask what will happen before a step begins.
- Ask questions at any time.
- Accept some parts and decline others.
- Ask to stop or pause the exam.
- Take a break.
- Change your mind.
- Ask what evidence is being collected.
- Ask about reporting options.
- Ask for advocate support.
ADVOCATE SUPPORT
You do not have to go through the exam alone.
A trained SAAP advocate can provide emotional support, explain options, answer questions, and provide accompaniment during the forensic exam.
The advocate is there to support your choices.
Request a SAAP Advocate →WHAT IS A “RAPE KIT”?
The rape kit is not the exam itself.
A sexual offense evidence kit is commonly called a rape kit.
The kit contains materials used to collect, document, package, and preserve possible forensic evidence.
What is collected depends on what happened and what you consent to.
You do not have to report to law enforcement to receive a forensic exam.
REPORTING + NONREPORTING OPTIONS
The exam and reporting are separate decisions.
You may receive a forensic exam even if you are not ready to make a report to law enforcement.
You can ask the examiner and advocate about your reporting and nonreporting options before deciding what feels right for you.
Explore Reporting Options →NOT READY TO REPORT?
Your evidence can still be collected and stored.
Florida law provides a process for sexual offense evidence kits collected from survivors who do not initially report to law enforcement.
Evidence is collected.
You can receive the forensic exam without making a law enforcement report at that time.
The kit is stored anonymously.
Florida law requires a qualifying nonreporting kit to be transferred for secure anonymous storage.
It is kept for at least 50 years.
Florida Statute 943.326 requires a nonreporting sexual offense evidence kit to be retained for a minimum of 50 years after collection.
You can choose to report later.
If you later make a law enforcement report or request testing, Florida law provides a process for the kit to move from anonymous storage into the reporting and testing process.
IF YOU REPORT
Florida law also sets timelines for submitting and testing kits.
When a sexual offense is reported to law enforcement, Florida Statute 943.326 requires the evidence kit to be submitted to the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system within the statutory timeframe.
The law also gives survivors access to information about the location and processing status of eligible sexual offense evidence kits through Florida’s statewide tracking system.
§ 943.326
Addresses DNA evidence collected during sexual offense forensic physical examinations and investigations.
YOUR HEALTH MATTERS TOO
The exam is not only about evidence.
The medical professional can also address health concerns related to the assault.
Injuries
Injuries, pain, bleeding, bruising, or other medical concerns can be assessed.
STI Concerns
Testing, treatment, or preventive medications may be discussed when medically appropriate.
Pregnancy Concerns
Emergency contraception may be discussed when medically appropriate.
Follow Up Care
You may receive instructions for additional testing, treatment, counseling, or support.
CONCERNED YOU MAY HAVE BEEN DRUGGED?
Tell the examiner as soon as possible.
If you think alcohol, medication, or another substance may have been used to facilitate the assault, tell the examiner.
Some substances leave the body quickly, so urine or blood collection may be time sensitive.
NO COST FORENSIC EXAM
You should not be billed for the initial forensic examination associated with evidence collection.
Florida law prohibits a medical provider from billing the survivor, or the parent or guardian of a minor survivor, directly or indirectly for the initial forensic physical examination.
The Florida Crime Victims’ Services Office provides payment for eligible expenses associated with the initial forensic exam.
This applies regardless of whether the survivor has insurance and regardless of whether the survivor participates in the criminal justice system or cooperates with law enforcement.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER MEDICAL COSTS?
The no cost protection applies to the forensic examination itself.
Medical treatment outside the initial forensic examination and evidence collection may be billed separately.
This could include treatment for injuries, additional emergency department services, prescriptions, follow up appointments, or other medical care.
Call us before assuming you are responsible for it.
We can help you understand whether a charge relates to the forensic examination or separate medical treatment.
Call 1-866-828-7273FLORIDA RIGHTS + LAWS
Know the protections connected to your forensic exam.
Evidence Kits
Covers submission, testing, tracking, storage, retention, and nonreporting kits.
No Cost Initial Exam
Prohibits charging the survivor for the initial forensic physical examination.
Victim Rights + Services
Requires law enforcement investigating sexual battery to assist with access to medical care, forensic examination, advocacy, and certified rape crisis center services.
AFTER THE EXAM
Support does not end when the exam is over.
You can continue receiving SAAP support whether or not you report to law enforcement.
Emotional Support
Talk confidentially with an advocate whenever you need support.
Medical Follow Up
Follow recommendations for additional testing or treatment.
Reporting Information
Learn about your options without pressure to make a particular choice.
Counseling + Resources
We can help connect you with counseling and additional local resources.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
What would be helpful next?
CONSIDERING A FORENSIC EXAM?
Start with one phone call.
We can explain your options and help connect you with the appropriate local facility.