Secure evidence
Record proof so that the crime can be investigated. Here is what matters.
Why evidence matters
Securing evidence is important for solving a crime. By filing a police report, you start an investigation by the police or the public prosecutor’s office. The law enforcement authorities then take care of securing evidence.
You can also support them with your own evidence.
What you can do, depending on the situation
Criminal damage (Sachbeschädigung, Section 303 StGB)
Take photos or call the police so they can secure the traces.
Physical or sexual violence
Photograph visible injuries yourself. Get medical care. After an examination, doctors will give you a certificate documenting the injuries. More on confidential forensic evidence collection
Online hate speech
Save posts and chats completely, especially on social media platforms and in group chats. Here is how, step by step
How to secure online hate
A screenshot alone is often not enough. Tap the points to see what needs to be in the picture.
Secure first, then report. Posts can quickly be deleted or changed.
You must not save or share child or youth sexual abuse material. In this case, contact the police directly.
Sources: Polizeiliche Kriminalprävention (German police crime prevention, polizei-beratung.de) (opens in a new tab) , Federal Ministry of Justice (hilfe-info.de) (opens in a new tab) , Stiftung Warentest (opens in a new tab)
Note: this section deals with sexual violence.
Confidential forensic evidence collection
Most traces can be secured within the first 72 hours.
If you suspect you were given knockout drops, act quickly. After that, many substances can no longer be detected.
- Go to a hospital emergency department. There you will get initial medical care and confidential forensic evidence collection. If you wish, traces and injuries will be documented and secured.
- If you can, do not shower before the examination, even if it is hard.
- You do not need to file a police report for this. Traces can be secured even if you have not yet decided whether to report.
- As a rule, doctors are bound by medical confidentiality. The police may not be informed without your explicit consent. This gives you time to decide about a police report.
Where to find confidential evidence collection in your federal state:
Schleswig-Holstein (opens in a new tab) Hamburg (opens in a new tab) Bremen (opens in a new tab) Lower Saxony (opens in a new tab)
Evidence secured?
The next step: report it to the police or find support.