NCJ Number
145389
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (1993) Pages: 105-112
Date Published
1993
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Examining a child or adolescent who presents within 72 hours of a rape or molestation incident requires the physician to perform forensic specimen collection and do additional procedures beyond what is done when the victim discloses abuse typically weeks or months after its occurrence.
Abstract
First, the examiner must evaluate the victim's medical condition in terms of the need for surgical repair, blood or fluid replacement, or care of other injuries. Reference samples taken from the victim usually include head hair, body hair, pubic hair, saliva-soaked filter paper disk for blood type determination, blood sample, and swab from an uncontaminated skin area. Samples used to identify the assailant or to substantiate suspected crime conditions include any debris found on the victim's body, any clothing which the victim was wearing at the time of the assault, swabs to collect samples of saliva and semen, and material removed from underneath fingernails. The physical examination will also include baseline testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Additional procedures which may increase the yield of positive findings include use of a colposcope, photography, use of an ultraviolet light to scan the body, toluidine blue dye to detect trauma, and urine collection to detect sperm. 8 references