Evidence in forensic practice

Abstract

Evidence supporting much of clinical forensic medicine practice is deficient or dated. This presentation highlights the results from two local research projects which looked at various aspects of the sexual assault forensic examination.1.Do they who slide first, slide best: Jurisdictions within Australia and internationally differ with regard to preference for who creates the smear from those swabs taken to find DNA from semen. This research sought to articulate the function of slide preparation in sexual assault and to identify whether slide preparation by the forensic examiner, at time of examination, was preferable to slide preparation by forensic laboratory staff, at a later date. It also provided a review of the limited research in this area and posed questions for potential future research.2.Patient perception of forensic imaging: Historically, photography used in forensic documentation of injuries (especially genital injuries), sustained during an alleged sexual assault, has been controversial. This study explored the immediate and short-term experiential impacts of forensic photography from the victims’ perspective and supports the case for the routine use of forensic photography, with patient consent.