MOST OF THE EVIDENCE NECESSARY FOR SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF A RAPE CASE IS AVAILABLE ONLY AT TIME OF PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION; THIS PUTS A SPECIAL BURDEN ON THE PATROL OFFICER RESPONDING TO THE CALL. THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INFORMATION WILL BE THE INTERVIEW WITH THE VICTIM. TECHNIQUES FOR EVALUATING THE RELIABILITY OF THE TESTIMONY, PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS PECULIAR TO RAPE INVESTIGATIONS, AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING RAPPORT ARE DISCUSSED. SPECIAL TECHNIQUES ARE GIVEN FOR INTERVIEWING THE ELDERLY, ADOLESCENTS, AND CHILDREN BECAUSE NEARLY HALF OF ALL VICTIMS ARE UNDER AGE 20, LEGAL PROBLEMS ARISE WITH MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF VICTIMS AND NOTIFICATION OF PARENTS, ESPECIALLY PARENTS OF ADOLESCENTS. FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, IT IS OFTEN WISE TO USE SPECIALLY TRAINED INTERVIEWERS. RAPE CRISIS CENTERS AND HOSPITALS CAN ALSO HELP WITH INTERVIEWING BY FILLING IN MISSING BITS OF EVIDENCE. CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE AND SUCH AGENCIES IS URGED. SEARCH TECHNIQUES AND METHODS OF GENERATING A POOL OF SUSPECTS ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THE USE OF HELICOPTERS, RADIO, AND TRACKING DOGS. RAPE BRINGS SPECIAL POLICE PROBLEMS. BECAUSE NEWS MEDIA ARE USUALLY VERY INTERESTED IN RAPE CASES, POLICIES HAVE TO BE DEVELOPED FOR DEALING WITH REPORTERS. IN ADDITION, MANY COMMUNITY GROUPS WANT POLICE SPEAKERS ON THE SUBJECT. RAPE CASES ALSO REQUIRE UNUSUALLY CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. THE PATROL OFFICER SHOULD NOT ONLY FOLLOW ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES, HE ALSO SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO SUGGEST WAYS TO IMPROVE HANDLING OF RAPE CASES.