Documenting Victim Injuries



DATE:    January 9, 2019

FROM:    JAMES D. TATREAU, CAPTAIN          TO:    ALL PERSONNEL                                                                                    NORWALK STATION                                     NORWALK STATION

SUBJECT:    NORWALK STATION UNIT ORDER 19-01

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this directive is to ensure Norwalk Station personnel utilize consistent methods in documenting injuries to intimate body parts of victims and/or suspects during investigations.

SCOPE OF ORDER:

This directive applies to all Norwalk personnel tasked with photographing or otherwise documenting injuries, via visual media, to intimate body parts.

The intent of this order is to preserve the dignity and modesty of victims by not storing photos, video, or other visual media in a "shared files" folder or other network access point.

ORDER:

Norwalk station personnel respond to and investigate assaults where injuries occur.  Those injuries may be to intimate body parts.  There are occasions where photographic evidence of injuries may be necessary to substantiate the severity of those injuries.  In cases where photos or other visual documentation of intimate body parts may be necessary, the documentation shall, when practical, be done by a person of the same sex.  The evidence obtained shall then be stored on a CD/DVD and booked into evidence.  Photos, videos, or other visual documentation of intimate body parts shall not be placed into "shared files."

 

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