Abstract:
Forensic experts are often expected to provide an opinion on alleged physical or sexual contact between individuals following medicolegal
examination of a case of sexual abuse (SA). There are many factors influencing the opinion. A retrospective descriptive study was performed
to study the factors influencing the medicolegal opinion in SA forensic examination using medical and medicolegal records of alleged SA
victims to extract data. Records of 441 victims were studied. A majority, 180 (40%), presented due to the guardian’s concerns – 302 (68%)
presented for medicolegal examination 72 h after the incident. Recent injuries were observed in only 15% of the victims. Genital injuries
were observed in 74% of the victims brought due to concerns of the guardians, with 12 victims having recent injuries. Of the 172 victims who
complained of vaginal intercourse, 21% had recent injuries. A firm positive medicolegal opinion could be given in 63% of all cases. In 124
individuals, a firm positive or negative opinion could not be given. A majority (n = 90, 73%) of these individuals did not have any injuries,
while 23% had healed injuries. According to the nature of the complaint, in a significant number of victims (53%), no scientific evidence was
present to make a firm opinion. The nature of the sexual act and the absence of injuries influence the medicolegal opinion on SA, making it
a challenging task for forensic experts.
