In the aftermath of a traumatic incident, although it may not be at the forefront of your mind, the preservation of evidence is strongly encouraged. Even if you don’t think you want to pursue a criminal or civil proceeding, preserving evidence keeps your options open in case you change your mind and also may assist you with obtaining a Protection from Abuse or Protection from Sexual Violence and Intimidation order.
To preserve evidence, do not shower, douche, or change clothes or bedding before you seek medical attention. Also, if oral contact took place, do not brush your teeth, smoke, or eat. Optimally, evidence collection should occur within 72 hours of the assault and there are medical facilities in Pittsburgh that can assist you:
- UPMC Magee Womens Hospital, 300 Halket Street, 412-641-4933
- UPMC Mercy, 400 Locust Street, 412-232-8111
Magee-Womens and Mercy are staffed with sexual assault nurse examiners, registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in the medical forensic care of the patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse. Hospital emergency rooms are best equipped to collect physical evidence of a sexual assault. Your best source of immediate medical help is the nearest hospital emergency room. All hospitals are required by law to report to the police any injury that is the result of a crime. This does not obligate you to file formal charges. Completing a forensic exam does not require a survivor to talk to police or prosecute the perpetrator. Anyone who has experienced sexual assault can get a forensic medical exam at no cost to them. You may choose to have your insurance billed or to have Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program cover the costs.
Survivors of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking should take steps to preserve other forms of evidence, including, but not limited to:
- Save unwashed clothing and/or sheets in a paper bag.
- Take screenshots of social media posts.
- Save text messages, emails, call logs, security camera footage, and other forms of electronic contact.
- Keep in mind if you decide to change phone numbers, information such as text messages may no longer be accessible. Save that information on another device.
- Ask friends/family to save text messages, emails, call logs, and other forms of electronic contact they received.
- Take photos of bruises and/or other injuries.
- Save and/or take photos of damaged property.
- Save any other evidence that may show a pattern of behavior or course of conduct.