Citation

Ludes B, Géraut A, Vali M, Cusack D, Ferrara D, Keller E, Mangin P, Vieira DN. Int. J. Legal Med. 2018; 132(6): 1671-1674.

Affiliation

Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00414-018-1791-y

PMID

29468380

Abstract

Sexual assault is a complex situation with medical, psychological, and legal aspects. Forensic experts play a major role in terms of forensic and gynecological medical examination and evidence collection in order to maintain the chain of custody. Victims should be examined by a specially trained medico-legal examiner in order to avoid multiple examinations in the surroundings that do not meet minimum health standards. The evolution and treatment of sexual assault victims are time-intensive and should optimally be provided by a team that includes a forensic medical doctor. These guidelines will be of interest to forensic medical doctors who will have responsibility for the examination and assessment of victims of sexual violence and can be used as a day-to-day service document and/or a guide to develop health service for victims of sexual violence.

Language: en

Keywords

European Council of Legal Medicine; Forensic evidence collection; Sexual assault