This training module is designed to help communities address the complex challenges of untested evidence in sexual assault cases. While the material is largely written with reference to cold cases, much of the guidance applies equally to current sexual assault cases and investigations that have been recently inactivated or suspended. Specific guidance is offered for notifying victims that their investigation has been re-opened, keeping victims informed of the status of their case, and providing ongoing victim support throughout the criminal justice process.

Neurobiology of Trauma Webinar Series

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has a webinar series available on the neurobiology of trauma with Dr. Rebecca Campbell.

In Part I, Dr. Campbell describes how the brain and body react to major traumas, including sexual assault. This module emphasizes the importance of understanding victim behavior during an assault and the immediate aftermath.

In Part II, participants continue to learn how the body and the brain react to major traumas, with an emphasis on understanding memory formation and recall during an assault and in the immediate aftermath.

In Part III, Dr. Campbell continues the discussion on the neurobiology of trauma with an emphasis on understanding implications for cold case investigations and victim notifications.