Forensic evidence findings in prepubertal victims of sexual assault

Citation
Cw. Christian et al., Forensic evidence findings in prepubertal victims of sexual assault, PEDIATRICS, 106(1), 2000, pp. 100-104
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics,"Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
PEDIATRICS
ISSN journal
00314005 → ACNP
Volume
106
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
100 - 104
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-4005(200007)106:1<100:FEFIPV>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Objective. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends forensic evidence collection when sexual abuse has occurred within 72 hours, or when there is bleeding or acute injury. It is not known whether these recommendations ar e appropriate for prepubertal children, because few data exist regarding th e utility of forensic evidence collection in cases of child sexual assault. This study describes the epidemiology of forensic evidence findings in pre pubertal victims of sexual assault. Methods. The medical records of 273 children <10 years old who were evaluat ed in hospital emergency departments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and had forensic evidence processed by the Philadelphia Police Criminalistics Labo ratory were retrospectively reviewed for history, physical examination find ings, forensic evidence collection, and forensic results. Results. Some form of forensic evidence was identified in 24.9% of children , all of whom were examined within 44 hours of their assault. Over 90% of c hildren with positive forensic evidence findings were seen within 24 hours of their assault. The majority of forensic evidence (64%) was found on clot hing and linens, yet only 35% of children had clothing collected for analys is. After 24 hours, all evidence, with the exception of 1 pubic hair, was r ecovered from clothing or linens. No swabs taken from the child's body were positive for blood after 13 hours or sperm/semen after 9 hours. A minority of children (23%) had genital injuries. Genital injury and a history of ej aculation provided by the child were associated with an increased likelihoo d of identifying forensic evidence, but several children had forensic evide nce found that was unanticipated by the child's history. Conclusions. The general guidelines for forensic evidence collection in cas es of acute sexual assault are not well-suited for prepubertal victims. The decision to collect evidence is best made by the timing of the examination . Swabbing the child's body for evidence is unnecessary after 24 hours. Clo thing and linens yield the majority of evidence and should be pursued vigor ously for analysis.