PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC MEDICAL PRACTICE

• Jurisdiction: Australia

Priorities ........................................................................................................ [41.1300]

Service providers .......................................................................................... [41.1320]

Timing ............................................................................................................ [41.1340]

Location ......................................................................................................... [41.1360]

Relationship with investigators ...................................................................... [41.1380]

Ethical issues ................................................................................................ [41.1400]

[41.1300] Priorities

One of the drivers of a forensic examination is service to the judicial system. However, there cannot be any justification for allowing the medical care of an individual to be compromised to allow a forensic procedure to be performed. Patient welfare also extends to ensuring that these individuals are able to maintain or to regain their dignity after an assault that may have had components of humiliation and degradation. This dual role, which serves both medical and evidentiary needs, is...