The length of time that a sexual assault investigation takes to complete from start to finish depends on many circumstances, from the strength of the evidence to the complexity of the case. While it can be difficult to be patient with so much at stake, it is important not to rush the investigation. A detailed analysis of the evidence is necessary for investigators to solve your case and deliver justice.
The Steps of a Sexual Assault Investigation
A sexual assault investigation is typically initiated by the police receiving a report regarding this type of criminal act. The police precinct will assign available officers to investigate further and potentially make an arrest.
The investigative process can vary, but typically involves the following steps:
- Evidence collection. Any evidence relevant to the case will be gathered, such as DNA samples from a sexual assault forensic exam, medical records, photos of physical injuries, text messages or digital evidence, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence from the scene.
- Evidence processing. Processing the evidence can take several weeks, as physical evidence such as DNA samples often require extensive forensic testing. In addition, investigators may need to wait for court approval for certain investigative processes.
- Witness interviews. The authorities will conduct interviews with those involved, including the sexual assault survivor, any witnesses or relevant parties, and potential suspects. This stage may require a manhunt if the suspect is not yet identified or in custody.
Once all evidence has been analyzed, investigators may be able to identify the suspect and proceed with charges if there is enough to support a criminal case. This will lead to a separate legal process in the civil and/or criminal courts.
What Type of Timeline Can You Expect?
A sexual assault investigation takes time. The timeline could span a few weeks to over one year, depending on the circumstances. Sorting through and analyzing all available evidence can take several months, especially if DNA or forensic evidence must be sent away to special labs for processing.
If one or more involved parties are unidentified or cannot be found, this can affect the length of time the investigation takes, as well. The cooperation of all parties involved and the workload of the investigating agency (how quickly authorities can get to the case) can also determine the timeline.
A particularly complex sexual assault case, such as one involving multiple victims, a lack of evidence or additional crimes, can come with a longer investigative timeline. Keep in mind that the investigators assigned to your case are doing their best to move it along efficiently without letting any important details slip through the cracks.
How an Attorney Can Help
A sexual assault investigation is just one phase of the legal process involved in delivering justice to a survivor. After the investigation is complete, the case will go through settlement negotiations, a civil lawsuit and/or a criminal trial. These legal matters take time – often in the one-to-two-year range or longer.
Hiring a qualifying and experienced Illinois sexual assault attorney can ensure that your case proceeds as efficiently as possible while still protecting your rights as a victim. A law firm has resources and personnel to put toward an investigation to make it as timely and productive as possible. Your lawyer can also handle complex legal proceedings in a way that keeps redundancy to a minimum. This can save you time, money and stress overall as you fight for justice.