On Friday, June 23rd the District Attorney’s Office led an Investigating Sexual Assault workshop. The workshop was offered to local law enforcement agencies and focused on the foundations of investigating sexual assault. Partnerships between law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office is crucial in successful investigations and, when charges are brought, convictions.
This was the inaugural law enforcement workshop offered by the District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Shugrue plans to hold reoccurring workshops on a variety of topics to improve upon partnerships and share up-to-date information with law enforcement partners and community agencies.
Presenters included:
Cognitive Bias in Sexual Assault Investigations, Second Assistant District Attorney Kelly Kemp
Crime Scenes, Polygraphs, Search Warrants: Investigator Ed Culver
Evidence Collection & On-Scene Response, Jennifer Preisig, MSP Crime Scene Response Unit and Trooper Pete Bengtson and Trooper Josh Winters, MSP Crime Scene Services Section
Medical Evidence, Myths & Facts, & Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Mary Walz-Watson
Interviewing and taking statements: Adams Police Department Detective Mike Wandrei
Elements of Trying Sex Offenses: Assistant District Attorney Heather Valentine
Autopsy of a Rape Case: Lessons From an Acquittal: Assistant District Attorney Melissa Brooks