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If the incident happened recently, it may be possible to collect forensic evidence that could help the case.
Forensic evidence means something that the offender might have left behind that could help us prove what happened.
Forensic evidence can include:
Some types of medical forensic evidence can only be taken in the first seven or so days after the assault happened. And the sooner evidence is collected the better - in the first few days is ideal.
But don't worry if it's already later than that. That doesn't mean it's too late to collect forensic evidence. It is still worth discussing forensic evidence if it happened more than seven days ago. Some types of forensic evidence, like photographs of injuries or hair samples if you may have been drugged, can be collected later.
Evidence can be stored and shared with us if you decide to make a report later.
So if you're not sure, but you think you might want to report to us in future, collecting forensic evidence as soon as you can keeps your options open and keeps you in control.
If you think you might want to give forensic evidence, if possible please
Don't worry if you've already done any of these things or it's too late to do any of these things. That doesn't mean it's too late to collect forensic evidence.
You can get a forensic medical exam at a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). We can refer you to a SARC or you can refer yourself to a SARC without involving us at all.
Some SARCs are in hospitals, others stand alone. They have different names in different locations.
The Shores is the SARC for Dorset.
You'll get support through the medical examination process. A nurse or doctor will do the examination. They are specially trained to do this as sensitively as possible. You can ask to see a female or male nurse or doctor. They'll take your medical history and explain exactly what will happen.
They will:
Talk to them if you want to give evidence but not share it with the police yet.
If you report it to us, we might offer you an early evidence kit to collect forensic evidence before you go for a forensic medical examination (if you decide to have one).
This lets us gather evidence that might otherwise be lost, like a urine sample if you need to go to the toilet, or a mouth swab if you want to eat or drink.