Police Procedure Questions

What type of information will I need to give in my statement?
A: When making a statement you should tell the police as much information about the offence as you can, to help them investigate the crime and to find other evidence. This includes:
- Descriptions or names of anyone involved;
- Whether anyone has been injured;
- Descriptions or names of any other witnesses;
- The registration number of any vehicles that were at the place where and when the crime happened. Even if they were not involved in the incident, the driver may have seen something.
- Descriptions, identifying marks or serial numbers of any stolen or damaged property.

How long will the police investigation take?
A: A police investigation can take several months to complete and will carry on as long as the police think there is the prospect of progressing the case. If the police identify a suspect, they will put together the evidence against them. If the police think they have sufficient evidence, they will charge or report the person for prosecution. You will be informed by the police, if this happens.

What will happen to me if I am a victim of a serious sexual assault?
A: If you have been a victim of a serious sexual assault, the police will ask you not to change your clothes or wash before they come to speak to you. You will usually be asked to undergo a medical examination. They understand that this may be unpleasant for you, but this is necessary to ensure that evidence can be collected to identify who was responsible for the attack.

What if I don't want a medical examination?
A: You do not have to consent to a medical examination, but it can provide vital evidence which the police may not be able to get from anywhere else, and it can help identify who was responsible for the attack. The police and medical examiner are specially trained, and they understand this may be embarrassing and upsetting for you. They will be sympathetic and do what they can to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

The police will endeavour to provide a medical examiner of the gender you would prefer, though this may not always be possible. You should be able to have a friend or relative with you during the examination, but sometimes the need to collect uncontaminated evidence will decide who can be present with you. The examination will take place either at a hospital or at a special suite, located away from other police offices, and used only for interviewing and examining victims and witnesses of this type of crime.

Will I have to go to court?
A: - If the defendant pleads guilty, you will not have to give evidence. Sometimes the defendant might change his plea from not guilty to guilty just before the trial starts. In this situation you will probably be required to attend court but will be told as soon as the prosecution are satisfied that the defendant has pleaded guilty to all the charges. There should be no requirement for the court to hear your evidence in this situation. This can be very unsettling for victims, particularly if they have arrived at court, but it is the right of the defendant to change his plea at any stage through the process.

- If the defendant pleads not guilty, it means that the case has been 'contested' and there will be a trial. In this case you may be required to attend court and give evidence, but remember there are support agencies, such as the Witness Service, which will help you through this experience. You also may wish to refer to the 'Going to Court' section for further information.

I have heard about 'special measures'. Do I qualify?
A: You may qualify for special measures to help you give your evidence at court. These are offered to people who the law describes as 'vulnerable or intimidated witnesses' and are designed to make the process of giving evidence easier and less daunting.

If a police officer thinks you would qualify for special measures, he or she will discuss this with you, and then with the prosecution in your case, if the case is going to court. The prosecution will go through the reasons for special measures and take into account your views, and if these fit the criteria, they will apply to the court for the special measures to be put in place.

For further information on special measures, please visit the 'Going to Court' section of this walkthrough.