Session 6: Medical Certificate and Forensic Examination
Objective
- Know how to complete a medical certificate
- Know when to decide to collect forensic evidence
- Know how to collect forensic evidence and how to support or facilitate this
Presentation
Facilitator guide
Activity
Videos
The videos include a fictional story of rape or intimate partner violence that may be distressing, difficult or even re-traumatizing for some viewers to watch and listen to. This video is for educational purposes to show participants how to conduct a history and interview about an incident of rape or intimate partner violence.
The ideas include sensitive images of a physical examination and genital examination including breasts and genitals to for educational purposes to show participants how to correctly conduct an examination, document and treat injuries.
6.1 Introduction to forensic evidence collection
Video by International Rescue Committee and UCLA – Center for International Medicine. https://www.rescue.org/.
Please see https://iawg.net/resources/clinical-care-for-sexual-assault-survivors for the complete clinical care for sexual assault survivors (CCSAS) multimedia tool.
6.2 Collecting forensic evidence
Video by International Rescue Committee and UCLA – Center for International Medicine. https://www.rescue.org/.
Please see https://iawg.net/resources/clinical-care-for-sexual-assault-survivors for the complete clinical care for sexual assault survivors (CCSAS) multimedia tool.
6.3 Documenting the survivors history
6.4 Collecting evidence before the physical exam
6.5 Collecting evidence during the physical exam
6.6 Collecting evidence from the external genitalia and anus
6.7 Collecting evidence from the vagina and rectum
6.8 Preparation, storage and dissemination of evidence
6.9 Release of evidence
6.10 The importance of forensic evidence
Video by International Rescue Committee and UCLA – Center for International Medicine. https://www.rescue.org/.
Please see https://iawg.net/resources/clinical-care-for-sexual-assault-survivors for the complete clinical care for sexual assault survivors (CCSAS) multimedia tool.
Participant handouts
Key messages
- Collect forensic evidence only when all four conditions are met
- Separate consent is needed for a forensic examination
- The assault history guides forensic evidence collection
- Time elapsed and activities undertaken after the incident determines whether evidence can be found
- Storage that avoids contamination, labelling and detailed documentation are essential
- Health care providers may need to provide testimony. They cannot conclude whether evidence points to rape. That is for the courts to establish.
Required supplies & materials
- Projector, laptop
- Pen and blank paper workbook
- Print outs of the scenarios for the activity – depending on which activities you choose