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Practice Guideline
. 2018 Nov;132(6):1671-1674.
doi: 10.1007/s00414-018-1791-y. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Guidelines examination of victims of sexual assault harmonization of forensic and medico-legal examination of persons

B Ludes  1 , A Geraut  2 , M Väli  3   4 , D Cusack  5   6   7 , D Ferrara  8 , E Keller  9 , P Mangin  10 , D N Vieira  11
Affiliations
Practice Guideline

Guidelines examination of victims of sexual assault harmonization of forensic and medico-legal examination of persons

B Ludes et al. Int J Legal Med. 2018 Nov.

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.

Keywords: European Council of Legal Medicine; Forensic evidence collection; Sexual assault.

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References

    1. World Health Organization- Geneva (2004) Guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2004/924154628X.pdf . Accessed 10 Sept 2017
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    1. Hingemann-Hansen O, Vesterby A (2012) Forensic medical examination of adolescent and adult victims of sexual violence. Best practice and research. Clin Obstet Gynecol 3:1–12

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