Analysis of clinical forensic examination reports on sexual assault.
Medical-forensic examination of sexual assault victims and alleged offenders is a common task of many forensic institutes. In the current study, the results from samples taken at the Institute of Legal Medicine, Hanover Medical School, during a period from 2005 to 2007 were retrospectively evaluated. In total, 292 victims (283 females and nine males) and 88 suspects were examined. At the time of the assault, 41.8% of the victims and 43.2% of the alleged perpetrators were under the influence of alcohol. Injuries were found in 84.9% of the victims and 39.8% of the suspects. Thirty victims (10.3%) reported having been choked or strangled. Cytology was performed in 218 victims. In 81 cases (38.0%), sperm could be detected in vaginal swabs up to 3 days post-assault. In seven (18.9%) out of 37 anal samples, evidence of sperm could be found 24 h post-assault. None of 22 oral samples was positive for sperm. Out of 301 sexual assault cases, 171 could be proved by means of medical-forensic examination. In summary, our evaluation shows that an early medical-forensic examination of both victim and suspect can secure numerous medical findings. Furthermore, persons intoxicated by alcohol, handicapped persons and persons with psychiatric disorders are more vulnerable to become a sexual assault victim.
Jänisch
Stefanie
S
Hanover Medical School, Institute of Legal Medicine, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hanover, Germany. jaenisch.stefanie@mh-hannover.de
Meyer
Hildrun
H
Germerott
Tanja
T
Albrecht
Urs-Vito
UV
Schulz
Yvonne
Y
Debertin
Anette Solveig
AS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology; D000647:Amnesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000166:cytology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000166:cytology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D010808:Physical Examination; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D012742:Sex Offenses; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D009294:Narcotics; D000431:Ethanol; D004247:DNA