title: Interpretation of non-genital injuries in sexual assault.
abstract: The accurate description and interpretation of non-genital injuries may be crucial in cases of alleged sexual assault, and may be important in corroborating a victim's statement of events. In many cases of sexual assault, non-genital injuries may be either absent or trivial; nevertheless, even minor injuries may be of significance and need to be recorded. Injuries may be result from attempts to restrain the victim, whereas others (e.g. bite marks) may have a sexual motive or be part of a sado-masochistic ritual. A standard nomenclature for injuries (i.e. using the terms 'bruises', 'abrasions', 'lacerations', 'incisions and 'stab wounds') should avoid ambiguity between medical examiners.
authors.affiliation: State Pathologist's Department, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BS, UK. J.Crane@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D019548:Crime Victims; D004438:Ecchymosis / Q000473:pathology; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000473:pathology; D012742:Sex Offenses; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology*