THIS MANUAL WAS WRITTEN BY THE POLK COUNTY RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT CARE CENTER TO AID IN LESSENING THE TRAUMA OF PROSECUTION OF SEX CRIMES. GUIDELINES ON POLICE INVESTIGATION ARE FIRST PROVIDED. INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF EVIDENCE TO BE COLLECTED, HANDLING THE VICTIM, AND OBTAINING THE VICTIM'S STATEMENT IS PRESENTED. DUTIES OF THE DISPATCHER, PATROL OFFICER, AND POLICE DETECTIVE ARE LISTED, AND A CHECKLIST OF EVIDENCE FOR SEX CRIME CASES IS INCLUDED. GUIDELINES ON THE TYPE OF CHARGE TO BE FILED ARE ALSO PROVIDED. REPRINTS OF THREE ARTICLES DEALING WITH METHODS OF INTERVIEWING THE SEX CRIME VICTIM ARE INCLUDED AS WELL. GUIDELINES FOR PROSECUTORS ARE PROVIDED FOR ALL PHASES OF THE TRIAL PROCESS, FROM PRETRIAL PREPARATIONS, PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, AND APPLICABLE LAWS, TO OPENING STATEMENTS, WITNESSES, AND CLOSING ARGUMENTS. FOR MEDICAL PERSONNEL, TECHNIQUES AND GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN ON HELPING AND COUNSELING THE VICTIM, EVIDENCE COLLECTION, TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS, AND MEDICAL TESTIMONY. THE FINAL SECTION, INTENDED FOR COUNSELING PERSONNEL, DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF THE COUNSELOR, THE FEELINGS OF THE RAPE VICTIM, AND COUNSELING OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF VICTIMS. FOR A RELATED DOCUMENT, SEE NCJ-38480....DMC