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Investigating Prepubertal Sexual Assault: Check Clothing and Linens

The usefulness of and best timing for collection of forensic evidence in prepubertal sexual assault cases is uncertain. These authors evaluated the records of 273 children (ages, <10) who were examined for sexual assault in 3 Philadelphia emergency rooms and for whom forensic evidence was collected. History, physical examinations, methods of forensic evidence collection, and forensic results were reviewed. Time between last assault and examination was recorded for 222 of the children (median, 16 hours).

Forensic evidence was found for 24.5% of the children. The majority of evidence found (64%) was obtained from linens and clothing; however, only 35% of the children had clothing or linens analyzed. At 24 or more hours after the assault, virtually all of the positive forensic evidence collected was from clothing or linens. In the majority of cases where sperm or semen was found on bodies, clothing, or linens, the victims did not report that there had been ejaculation during the assault.

Comment: This retrospective study substantiates the importance of including clothing and linens in the collection of forensic evidence in prepubertal sexual abuse cases. Note that a child's report concerning ejaculation may not be reliable. All forensic evidence collections in child sexual abuse cases should include linens and clothing.

— AJ Davis

Published in Journal Watch Women's Health September 5, 2000

Citation(s):

Christian C et al. Forensic evidence findings in prepubertal victims of sexual assault. Pediatrics 2000 Jul 106 100 -104.

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