NCJ Number
72550
Date Published
1973
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The criminal investigative usefulness of physical examinations conducted on living persons immediately after criminal offenses is demonstrated in a study of 503 cases by the Hamburg Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Abstract
The persons examined were involved as victims or suspects in attempted and successful murders, sexual offenses, and child abuse. The victims of 100 attempted homicides and 35 homicide suspects were checked for signs of strangulation, bludgeoning with hands, feet, or blunt objects, bite marks, stabbing, shot wounds or signs of struggle. Examinations, especially if conducted within 24 hours, enabled investigators to determine whether or not wounds were self-inflicted, when the offense was committed, and what type of instrument was used. Examinations of suspects, usually 9 to 12 hours after the offense, made it possible to verify signs of external force in 6 of 18 cases. In connection with sexual offenses, 219 victims aged 9 to 15, and 58 suspects were examined. Such factors as extent of damage, defloration, and signs of resistance were studied; presence of sperm could only be detected within 24 hours. None of the examinations of suspects revealed useful evidence. Suspicions were confirmed in 50 percent of the other cases and ruled out in 25 percent. In 72 child abuse cases, most of them involving small children or school children, such factors as type and nature of injuries, mental and physical condition of the child, scratch marks indicating a struggle, nutritional state, and presence of scars were assessed in connection with suspected abuse. Abuse was confirmed in 55 cases and not substantiated in 6 cases. In all types of cases examined, the accuracy of results was dependent on the length of time between the offense and the examination. Tables and a 90-item bibliography are furnished. --in German.