Medical Forensic Exams

 

Students who have experienced sexual assault can opt to have a medical forensic exam (MFE), which is conducted by a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). 

MFEs collect medical evidence for sexual assault cases. These examinations are time sensitive. It’s recommended that they be done within 120 hours (or up to a week) of the assault.  

Please note: Medical support, reporting, evidence gathering and investigations can still happen outside of this time period. 

Hospital Locations  

There are local hospitals that provide medical forensic exams. Other locations around Colorado can be found through You Have the Right.  
 

Boulder Community Health (Foothills Hospital) 

   303-415-7000 
   4747 Arapahoe Ave. 
Boulder, CO 80303 

UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital 

  720-718-7000 
  1750 E. Ken Pratt Blvd. 
Longmont, CO 80504 

Transportation Options  

If a student would like to receive a medical forensic exam in the community, there are several transportation options available. 

  • Police: Students can call local police and let the dispatcher know they would like to report a sexual assault and preserve evidence. The police can transport them to the hospital for an exam. The police department that responds will depend on the location where the sexual assault occurred. For instance, if the assault took place on campus, CU Boulder Police would respond, and if the assault occurred within the city of Boulder, the Boulder Police would respond. 
  • Hospitals: If a student does not want to contact the police, they can go directly to Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital or UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital to ask for an MFE/SANE. 
  • Wardenburg: If a student does not have transportation to get to a hospital, Medical Services can help arrange transportation for them. 
  • Public transit: Students can use their Buff OneCard to access RTD services. Bus routes, light rail routes and schedules for Boulder and the Denver metro area are available online. 
  • Other options: Students can call a taxi, rideshare or get a ride from a trusted friend or support person. 

Appointments  

Students can go through their MyCUHealth portal, call or drop-in to request an appointment to meet with a sexual and reproductive health provider at Wardenburg Health Center. 

During their appointment, students can also meet with a confidential advocate counselor. Advocate counselors can discuss options and refer students to a local hospital that provides this specific type of exam. We can also assist students with transportation to a local hospital that provides these exams. 

Please note: Medical Services cannot provide medical forensic exams. 

Resources  

To learn more about medical care, counseling and options, please contact the confidential Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) on campus or off-campus resources like Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA). 

Here are some additional resources: