Novel recovery methods for biological materials in cases of alleged sexual assault: A word of caution.

Many believe that an increase in the public confidence in the investigation of sexual crimes, and in conviction rates, will lead to an increase in the reporting of these crimes. Consequently, Forensic Science Providers are continually striving to make improvements in evidence recovery and examination and the subsequent interpretation of evidence. One development is in methods that enable an individual to self-sample.

Quality standards in forensic medicine.

Forensic clinicians work with some of the most vulnerable members of society. Despite this it is one of the few areas of front line, undifferentiated healthcare in the UK that does not come under the National Health Service. The Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) has produced quality standards guidance for over a decade to support good practice in clinical forensic medicine.

Evaluation of a 'decontamination kit' in NSW.

Dedicated facilities of a high standard should be available for the examination of complainants and suspects where forensic samples are to be taken to ensure that the risk of contamination is kept to a minimum. The need for a decontamination kit came about because of the variable quality of examination facilities for complainants of sexual assault and suspects (persons of interest) within NSW. Overall the kit has been found to be useful and easy to use but there is still a need to increase awareness of its availability.

Provision of clinical forensic medical services in Australia: a qualitative survey 2011/12.

The provision of clinical forensic medicine services is dependent on jurisdiction and relevant legal instruments. A needs analysis was performed to understand the current service provision within NSW and compare and contrast the service with other jurisdictions in Australia. The aim of this study was therefore to identify the roles, functions and clinical forensic medical services currently provided in the different Australian jurisdictions.

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.

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.

Principal forensic physicians as educational supervisors.

This research project was performed to assist the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFLM) with the development of a training programme for Principal Forensic Physicians (PFPs) (Since this research was performed the Metropolitan Police Service have dispensed with the services of the Principal Forensic Physicians so currently (as of January 2009) there is no supervision of newly appointed FMEs or the development training of doctors working in London nor any audit or appraisal reviews.) to fulfil their role as educational supervisors. PFPs working in London were surveyed by questionnaire to identify the extent of their knowledge with regard to their role in the development training of all forensic physicians (FPs) in their group, the induction of assistant FPs and their perceptions of their own training needs with regard to their educational role.

Near miss incidents in police custody suites in London in 2003: a feasibility study.

Introduction: Potentially preventable deaths in police custody include those which involve illicit drugs, alcohol and deliberate self-harm. Near miss incidents (NMI) that did not result in death have a crucial role in understanding risk factors in custody. Such research has not previously been undertaken.

The clinical management of substance misusers in police custody -- a survey of current practice.

Large numbers of substance misusers are seen in police custody. Their management remains a significant part of a forensic physician's workload. Substance misuse, including alcohol, is a factor in a substantial number of deaths in custody.