North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

True or False: To maintain evidence, a sexual assault victim should refrain from showering, brushing teeth, or consuming food or drink.

1. True

2. False

3. It depends on circumstances

4. Not applicable

The correct answer is: True

The assertion is indeed true. In cases of sexual assault, preserving evidence is critically important for the investigation and potential prosecution of the crime. When a victim refrains from showering, brushing their teeth, or consuming food or drink, they help to ensure that any physical evidence, such as bodily fluids, hair, or other trace materials, is retained. Each of these actions—showering, brushing teeth, or eating—can lead to the loss of crucial forensic evidence that may be collected during a medical examination or crime scene investigation. This evidence can be vital in corroborating the victim's account and identifying the perpetrator. Therefore, in the immediate aftermath of an assault, it is highly advisable for victims to avoid these activities so that any biological evidence can be properly collected and preserved by law enforcement and medical professionals. While specific circumstances may dictate different actions, the general guideline emphasizes the importance of evidence preservation immediately following an incident.