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Value of the Medico-Legal Examination in Sexual Offences

NCJ Number
98700
Journal
Forensic Science International Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 145-155
Author(s)
K Helweg-Larsen
Date Published
1985
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A review is presented of medico-legal examinations performed on two series of rape and attempted rape in 1975 and 1980 with a total of 74 victims.
Abstract
Judicial outcome was known in 93% of the cases and is compared with the the results of the medico-legal examinations. Between the two series, public discussions and pressure from feminist movements concerning the procedure in rape cases together with modifications of civil penal code resulted in alterations of police practice. Eighteen percent of known offenders in 1975 and 42% in 1980 were charged, 50% and 90%, respectively, of these were convicted. A correlation between the judicial outcome and the results of the medico-legal examination was not found in all cases. The importance of psychological guidance to the victim at eh medico-legal examination is stressed. (Author abstract)

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