Which professionals are typically involved in a multidisciplinary team for sexual assault investigations?

• A. Only prosecutors.
• B. Only healthcare providers.
• C. Law enforcement, prosecutors, healthcare providers, and victim services.
• D. Victim services alone.

Answer: (C)

A multidisciplinary team approach to sexual assault investigations brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, healthcare providers, and victim services to create a coordinated, survivor-centered response. Each part plays a vital role: law enforcement leads the investigation, secures scenes, and collects and preserves physical and forensic evidence; prosecutors guide charging decisions and legal strategy to move the case forward while safeguarding the survivor’s rights; healthcare providers perform medical examinations, treat injuries, document findings, and collect forensic evidence in a respectful, trauma-informed way; victim services offers emotional support, advocacy, safety planning, and information about options and resources, helping the survivor navigate reporting and the court process. When these professionals work together, the investigation is thorough, the survivor is supported, and the legal process is better informed. Focusing on just one group would leave gaps in evidence collection, medical care, legal decisions, or survivor support.