• Providing timely examination of the victim
  
• Collecting and documenting physical evidence
  
• Consulting with physicians
  
• Facilitating STD prevention
  
• Pregnancy risk evaluation and interception
  
• Providing referrals for additional medical support and care.
  
• Providing factual testimony in a court of law on cases in which they performed the examination

SAFE program philosophy is based upon the belief that providing a specialized standard of medical care and evidence collection to victims of sexual assault will support recovery and prevent further injury or illness arising from victimization, and may increase the successful prosecution of sex offenders for victims.

Forensic Examiner's Role

The Forensic Examiner is an independent contractor with the Center whose main role is the impartial collection of biological and photographic evidence. The forensic examiner also facilitates the provision of prophylactic medication for the prevention of STD's and Pregnancy.

The forensic examiner will explain to the victim what the exam will entail, from start to finish, before beginning the exam. The examiner will ask the victim after the explanation if they want to go forward with the exam, and obtain consent. The forensic examiner is responsible for handling of all evidence, and all needs related to the collection of evidence. This includes collection of clothing, obtaining patient labels, handling urine samples, and all evidence collected in the rape kit. They are also the ones to talk to hospital staff (nurses and physicians) in regards to the victim's medical needs. The Forensic Examiner will notify the charge nurse when the victim is ready for dispensing of medication. They provide discharge instructions to the victim, including information on all medications dispensed to the victim. After the exam, the examiner remains to finish processing all evidence collected.

Training:

Currently there is no state certification process for sexual assault forensic examiners. Training is provided through The Center Against Sexual Assault by nationally recognized experts in the field of sexual assault medical forensic examinations as well as community collaborators in the fields of law enforcement, county prosecutors, etc.

Requirements for becoming a SAFE:

• Physician, RN, NP in good standing
  
• Current BLS
  
• RN to have a minimum of 1 year experience in an ER
  
• Recommend TNCC/ACLS/ATLS certification
  
• Recommend ENPC or physician equivalent training

Eligibility

• Must be in good standing with the respective licensing board
  
• Maintain current CPR certification
  
• Maintain fingerprint clearance
  
• Sign a criminal background affidavit
  
• Have reliable transportation and automobile liability insurance
  
• It is recommended that the RN have a minimum of one (1) year of experience in an emergency department or critical care area
  
• Recommend TNCC and/or ATCN and/or ACLS verification
  
• Exceptions to the above eligibility requirements are reviewed on an individual basis
  Time commitment includes:
  
• the completion of comprehensive SAFE training
  
• the ability to provide on-call coverage
  
• attendance at the monthly SAFE meeting
  
• at least one (1) year of service to the Center Against Sexual Assault
  .

Payment: SAFE's enter into an Independent Contract with the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault to provide on-call coverage. The SAFE received an on-call hourly rate as well as a payment for each medical forensic examination completed.

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Page last updated on Jan 3, 2005.

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