Browsing by Author "Rajapaksha, W.R.A.S."

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A Clinical case of an 'alleged assault': are they fabricated injuries?
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, 2010) Rajapaksha, W.R.A.S.; Paranitharan, P.; Perera, W.N.S.
No Abstract Available
A Prospective study on clinical forensic cases examined at North Colombo Teaching hospital ; new challenges for the 21st century
(Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at University of Peradeniya, 2015) Paranitharan, P.; Perera, W.N.S.; Rajapaksha, W.R.A.S.; Perera, W.P.P.
The specific objective of the study is to do a quantitative analysis of forensically relevant clinical cases examined at North Colombo Teaching Hospital with a view of identifying lapses in the medico-legal management and suggest recommendations to improve the system. The data was collected by analyzing the completed Medico-legal Examination Forms (MLEF) and personal notes made by the examining doctor attached to Department of Forensic Medicine at the North Colombo Teaching Hospital. The study revealed that the majority of the victims were male (73.3%) and belong to the age group of 19-59 years (84%). The victims who were examined had sustained injuries mainly due to assaults and accidents. (71%) Wife battery amounted to 5.9% of the cases. A sound medico-legal service is important for the existence of a good criminal justice system. MLEF is an important tool to gather vital information. A modified MLEF, Forensic Nurse, Basic infrastructure facilities for all medico-legal centres with necessary equipment, statistics and costing of injured patients and prevention programmes to minimize accidents and violence are some of the recommendations from the authors.
Remarks documented on medico-legal examination forms on sexual abuse cases; are they properly comprehended by the police?
(College of Forensic Pathologists of Sri Lanka, 2013) Kitulwatte, I.D.G.; Rajapaksha, W.R.A.S.; Edirisinghe, P.A.S.; Perera, W.N.S.; Wijerathne, N.A.S.P.; Sihanada, A.A.S.; Bulathsinhala, B.A.A.R.; Gunathilake, R.
INTRODUCTION: Expert medical evidence is widely used in sexual abuse cases, but its contribution to the progress of legal cases is unclear. Poor understanding of the remarks given by the medical officers in a Medico Legal Examination Form (MLEF) in alleged sexual abuse cases by the police officers may affect effective administration of justice. OBJECTIVE: This study is mainly aimed at assessing the degree of understanding by the police officers’ when reading three commonly expressed medico-legal remarks in cases of alleged sexual abuse. Secondly, to identify the areas of poor understanding, for which interventions need to be carried out. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 64 police officers, in the rank of police constables and sergeants from western province, who are attending to routine work of a police station (criminal investigations, children and women’s desk and traffic unit). Data collection was done by self administered questionnaire after a briefing regarding the study and instructions on how to fill the questionnaire. RESULTS: 72% of the officers believed that they understood the statements written on Medico-Legal Examination Form (MLEF) when it is in native language while only 32% believed so for statements in English. However the analysis of the correct responses revealed that only 28.9% of officers understood the exact meaning in native language while it was 10.4% for English. The understanding about the statement on absence of medical evidence to confirm or exclude the allegation when given in Sinhala was 26.6% while it was 10.9% in English. The statement on evidence of vaginal penetration has been correctly understood by 20.3% in Sinhala while it is 7.8 % in English. CONCLUSION: Statements made in native language are approximately three times better understood than the ones made in English. However, overall understanding of the remarks made by doctors was very poor. It is high time we take necessary actions to intervene if our goal is effective administration of justice.