Medical examination
Sub-specialties: General forensic work, Sexual offences (adult
complainants)
Forensic physicians are registered medical practitioners who
specialise in: the care and examination of people who are, or are
alleged to be, the victims or perpetrators of a crime; the recovery
of forensic samples; and the preparation of evidence for court,
given orally or in writing.
Physicians offering general forensic work have traditionally
been known as police surgeons, but in London they are called
Forensic Medical Examiners and Forensic Medical Officers in
Northern Ireland. They offer medical care and, when required,
forensic assessment of prisoners and suspects in police custody,
alleged victims of crime and police officers injured on duty. They
also attend scenes of death to pronounce life extinct and to give
an opinion on whether there are suspicious circumstances. They
interpret their findings, orally or in writing, to the police,
courts and sometimes social services.
Some of these doctors, and others including paediatricians,
specialise in the forensic examination and assessment of alleged
victims of sexual assault or abuse. Some doctors examine only adult
complainants; some examine only children and young people; others
examine complainants of any age.
In each case the doctor undertakes a full clinical examination
and makes a written record of the findings, with photographs and
other visual material where appropriate. They obtain relevant
forensic samples, write a report and arrange any necessary
aftercare.
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