The timely and effective completion of initial investigative actions in rape investigations.

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to assess how five police forces participating in Operation Soteria Bluestone conducted first response and early investigative actions in rape cases. The focus was on whether these actions were completed appropriately, sufficiently and in a timely manner. Design/methodology/approach – Researchers reviewed case logs from 59 rape offences across five forces. Each log was coded using a standard format to identify completed actions, missing information and the timing and quality of responses. Descriptive analyses were conducted to explore how often each investigative action was taken, and judgments made based on a standard set of criteria as to whether they were completed effectively and in a timely manner. Data from the qualitative analyses were used to provide additional context. Findings – Most investigative actions were completed (between 72.88% and 100% of the time), demonstrating that whilst first responders and officers are generally conducting the early crucial steps in rape investigations, timeliness of these actions varied widely, completed promptly in only 69.49%–90.62% of cases. Even more concerning was the sufficiency in which these actions were completed, which ranged from 49.15%–66.66%. Qualitative data revealed that these shortcomings were often due to limited specialist knowledge and resource constraints. These factors affected both the speed and quality of early investigative practices, with important implications for victim safety and evidential integrity. Originality/value – This study provides a unique contribution by analysing case data to evaluate frontline police actions in the earliest stages of rape investigations–an area often neglected in existing research. While prior studies have focused on victim experiences or criminal justice outcomes, this paper highlights operational gaps in initial investigative practices, including evidence collection, safeguarding and logging information. The findings emphasise the foundational role of early police action in determining case progression and outcomes, aligning with the principles of the National Operating Model for rape and serious sex offences and offering practical recommendations for improvement.