Citation

Mishori R, Naimer K, McHale T, Johnson K, Fateen D, Gillette-Pierce Z. Med. Sci. Law 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/00258024211029075

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Sexual violence is a global crisis. Forensic evaluations are critical for obtaining evidence and increasing the likelihood of accessing justice, as many cases fail due to lack of evidence or poor evidence. In some countries, only board-certified forensic specialists are authorized to conduct forensic evaluations. However, the high number of sexual violence cases coupled with the shortage of forensic physicians make that restriction a fundamental impediment to a rights-based response to sexual violence crimes. Governments and regulatory bodies should expand the pool of those capable of conducting forensic sexual violence evaluations by partnering with clinicians of different specialties and facilitating their training.

Language: en

Keywords

law; Human rights; forensic medicine; health profession education; medical-legal