Rape cases are to be investigated more like murder inquiries, under new guidelines published today.

Police and prosecutors will work more closely together and take a "forensic" approach to cases, Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini said.

She published guidelines to chief constables on the Investigation and Reporting of Sexual Offences.

"We are now taking working practices between the police and the prosecution in this area to a new level," Ms Angiolini said.

"When victims have the courage to report a rape, they must have absolute confidence that the investigation will be thorough, professional and sensitive from the outset.

"That is why, with this guidance to the police, we will now see an approach to rape investigation which is, from the outset, much closer in form to the approach which is taken in investigating a homicide.

"Victims can now have increased confidence police and prosecutors will be taking a forensic approach to gathering all available evidence, and analysing strengths and weaknesses in the case, in order to bring a compelling prosecution before the court, wherever that is possible."

The guidelines were developed in consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

Prosecutors have been making improvements to "every aspect" of the investigation and prosecution of rape and other sexual offences since the publication of the Sexual Offences Review, according to the Lord Advocate.

"With this guidance, we are now in the final stage of implementation," she said.

Deputy Chief Constable Bill Skelly, of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, today welcomed the guidelines.

"This is a benchmark we should aspire to during each and every investigation," he said.