Authors:	Walz, Cleo Schwarz, Clara-Sophie Imdahl, Karla Steffan, Christian Germerott, Tanja
Title:	Comparison of the quality of clinical forensic examination of victims of physical violence conducted by clinicians and forensic examiners
Online publication date:	4-May-2023
Year of first publication:	2023
Language:	english
Abstract:	Introduction The Istanbul Convention calls for comprehensive care for victims of violence while maintaining forensic standards. After violent crimes, court usable documentation of injuries and securing of evidence is essential to avoid disadvantages for those affected in criminal prosecution. Material and methods This retrospective study compares forensic relevant aspects in clinical forensic examination of victims of physical and sexual violence conducted by clinicians and forensic examiners. Forensic medical reports based on clinical documentation of individuals of all ages in the period from 2015 to 2018 (n = 132) were evaluated in comparison to a control group of examinations conducted by forensic specialists. A comparative statistical evaluation was performed. Results The study revealed statistically significant differences in forensically relevant aspects. In the clinical examinations, full-body examination was performed in only 37.9%, and concealed body sites were examined in 9.8%. Photo documentation was often incomplete (62.4%), without scale (59.1%), blurred (39.7%), or poorly exposed (31.2%). Information on size, color, shape, and texture of injuries was often missing. In about every third examination, the findings were not described purely objective. A body scheme was used only in 8.3% of the clinical cases. Discussion In order to establish nationwide care structures and the forensic standard required in criminal proceedings, intensive involvement of forensic medicine is essential. Standardized examination materials, regular training of medical staff, and telemedical approaches can improve the care for victims of violence regarding criminal prosecution.
DDC:	610 Medizin 610 Medical sciences
Institution:	Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Department:	FB 04 Medizin
Place:	Mainz
ROR:	https://ror.org/023b0x485
DOI:	http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-9063
Version:	Published version
Publication type:	Zeitschriftenaufsatz
License:	CC BY
Information on rights of use:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Journal:	International journal of legal medicine Version of Record (VoR)
Publisher:	Springer
Publisher place:	Berlin u.a.
Issue date:	2023
ISSN:	0937-9827
Publisher DOI:	10.1007/s00414-023-02985-4
Appears in collections:	DFG-491381577-H