31. Clinical Forensic Medicine

Question 1

What are the roles of a forensic physician?

Answer 1

Assessment of those in police custody
Examine victims and injured police
Attend death scenes
Provide statements

Question 2

What routine samples should be taken from rape victims?

Answer 2

Head hair
Fingernail scraping
Pubic hair
Mouth, perineal, vulva, low and high vaginal, penis and anal swabs, both wet and dry

Question 3

What is taping used for in an external post mortem?

Answer 3

Pick up fibres, hair

Question 4

What is asphyxiation?

Answer 4

Venous blood can’t return to the heart

Question 5

What is the evidence of asphyxiation in a post mortem?

Answer 5

Petechiae under eyelids

Bleeding from nose

Question 6

Describe the steps in examining a survivor of sexual assault

Answer 6

Examine and document injuries
Evaluate for STDs 
Prevent pregnancy
Follow-up support
Collect evidence while maintaining the chain of custody

Question 7

What guidelines are used in the case of an alleged sexual assault?

Answer 7

SATU guidelines

Question 8

What evidence of assault might be seen on an external genital examination?

Answer 8

Bruising on inner thighs

Damage to vaginal entrance or walls, anal margin and rectum and foreskin and penis in males

Question 9

How long can alcohol be detected in the urine?

Answer 9

Up to 12 hours

Question 10

How long can short-acting barbiturates be detected in urine?

Answer 10

Up to 24 hours

Question 11

How long can cocaine and opioids be detected in urine?

Answer 11

Up to 4 days