Training in clinical forensic medicine in the UK--perceptions of current regulatory standards.

As clinical forensic medicine (CFM) is not currently recognised as a speciality in the UK there are no nationally agreed mandatory standards for training forensic physicians in either general forensic (GFM) or sexual offence medicine (SOM). The General Medical Council (GMC), the medical regulator in the UK, has issued clear standards for training in all specialities recommending that "trainees must be supported to acquire the necessary skills and experience through induction, effective educational supervision, an appropriate workload and time to learn". In order to evaluate the current situation in the field of clinical forensic medicine, doctors who have recently (within the last two years) started working in the field "trainees" (n = 38), and trainers (n = 61) with responsibility for clinical and educational supervision of new trainees, were surveyed by questionnaire to gather their perceptions of how the relevant GMC standards are being met in initial on-the-job training.

Leda and the Swan--and other myths about rape.

In his David Jenkins Memorial Lecture, Dr Norfolk discusses rape and some of the myths that surround the topic, exploring the research evidence about conviction rates, false allegations, clinician gender preferences of rape victims and the role of sexual assault referral centres in service delivery.

Training of assistant forensic medical examiners in London, UK.

The overall aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the quality of current practical training in London with a view to improving future training as part of faculty development. New trainees in clinical forensic medicine (CFM), Assistant Forensic Medical Examiners (AFMEs), were interviewed to gather their views of their recent training experience and to attempt to identify problems with implementing the training as it stands. An overwhelming theme emerged that there should be a more formal structure to the training of newly appointed FMEs.

Intravenous drug users and broken needles--a hidden risk?

Aims: To determine the frequency with which intravenous drug users (IDUs) experience broken needles during their injecting careers.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Participants: Seventy intravenous drug users held in police custody in Bristol between May and September 2002.