Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
Cost barriers
Consider ways to overcome cost barriers. Obtaining equipment and supplies that can increase the quality and quantity of evidence collected can have a significant impact on case outcomes. However, the costs of equipment and training on equipment use can be prohibitive for some jurisdictions and examiner programs. Some ideas to address cost barriers:
- Seek used or donated equipment or alternative, less-expensive equipment where it exists;
- Apply for grant or foundation funding for equipment where eligible;[1]
- Ask for help from community groups in raising funds for one-time equipment or ongoing supply costs;
- Consider sharing costs and equipment with other departments in an exam facility or among other near-by local health care facilities;
- Consider the benefits of a mobile examiner program where costs of equipment, examiner education and clinical preparation, and on-call costs may be shared by multiple exam sites; and
- Since the information gathered in the exam is used to investigate and prosecute the offense, ask for assistance from local law enforcement and prosecutor’s offices in obtaining equipment and supplies used specifically for forensic evidence collection.
[1] Funding under the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program and the STOP Violence Against Indian Women Discretionary Grant Program may be used to cover costs of some equipment. For more information, see www.usdoj.gov/ovw/.
