Factors associated with trace evidence analyses and DNA findings among police reported cases of rape.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between victim, suspect and assault characteristics and (1) forensic analysis of trace evidence, (2) detection of spermatozoa and (3) DNA match in police-reported cases of rape/attempted rape. In addition, we explored whether DNA findings were associated with legal outcome.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study based on police-reported rapes and attempted rapes of women  ≥16 years of age in Sør-Trøndelag Police District throughout 1997-2010.

Sexually transmitted infections among women attending a Norwegian Sexual Assault Centre.

Objectives: The objective was to describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and blood-borne viruses (BBV), and prophylactic treatment offered to female postpubertal patients attending a Norwegian Sexual Assault Centre (SAC). We wanted to evaluate whether STIs diagnosed at the initial visit could have been assault-transmitted, and to explore whether background and assault characteristics were associated with diagnosed STI/BBV.

Methods: We included postpubertal females ≥12 years of age attending the SAC within 1 week of the assault.

Ethanol and drug findings in women consulting a Sexual Assault Center--associations with clinical characteristics and suspicions of drug-facilitated sexual assault.

The purpose of the study was to describe toxicological findings among women seeking health care after sexual assault, and to assess the relationship with so-called proactive DFSA (drug facilitated sexual assault). We also explored associations between ethanol in blood/urine and background data, assault characteristics, and clinical findings. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study of female patients ≥ 12 years of age consulting the Sexual Assault Center at St.

Sexual assault centres and police reporting--an important arena for medical/legal interaction.

This study explores the usefulness of forensic medical examination (FME) irrespective of police request and police-reporting practices at a self-referral Sexual Assault Centre (SAC). The study is retrospective, descriptive: a 2-year series of cases from a Scandinavian SAC and corresponding police files. Among 354 SAC cases, 180 were reported to the police, comprising 103 of 197 total rapes registered in this police district.

To be used or not to be used, that is the question: legal use of forensic and clinical information collected in a self-referral sexual assault centre.

This study explores how the police select cases for using information from a self-referral Sexual Assault Centre (SAC). The study is retrospective and descriptive: a 2-year series from a Scandinavian SAC and corresponding police files. The police had access to 163 SAC cases, requested 84% of available forensic medical documentation, and had 50% of the trace samples analyzed.

Impact of medico-legal findings on charge filing in cases of rape in adult women.

Objective: To assess the impact of the medical documentation and biological trace evidence in rape cases on the legal process.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Setting And Sample: Police-reported cases of rape of women ≥16 years old in the Norwegian county of Sør-Trøndelag from January 1997 to June 2003.

Implementation of medical examination and forensic analyses in the investigation of sexual assaults against adult women: a retrospective study of police files and medical journals.

Objective: To describe the implementation of medical examination and forensic analysis in the police investigation of sexual assaults, and compare police-reported cases with and without medico-legal examination of the victim.

Methods: A retrospective study of all police-reported sexual assaults against women in the county of Sør-Trøndelag, Norway, January 1997-June 2003. Information from the police files was merged with information from the only specialized health care system in the region, the Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC), St.

Sexual assault centers: attendance rates, and differences between early and late presenting cases.

Objective: Sexual assault centers (SACs) aim at assisting victims and to provide forensic medical examination (FME). This study explores the gap between assaults actually occurring and those seen at SAC; and the characteristics of cases presented in time/too late for FME (early and late cohorts).

Design: Retrograde descriptive study.

[Sexual abuse of prepubertal children].

Background: During the last 15 years, a considerable change has taken place regarding the understanding of anatomical and microbiological anogenital findings in children. At the end of the 1980s, abnormal findings were described in more than 50 % of allegedly abused children. Today such findings are described in 5 %.

The adolescent hymen.

The genital examination is not a routine part of health maintenance assessment in prepubertal and pubertal girls. However, evaluation of minors for suspected sexual abuse has been addressed extensively in the last two decades. In spite of this, normal anatomic variations and developmental changes are not fully investigated.