J A Adams1, B Girardin, D Faugno. 1. University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103-8449, USA. jadams@ucsd.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To document the frequency and types of genital injuries in adolescent women examined acutely following a sexual assault, and determine any historical correlates of injury. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Sexual Assault Response Team services at a community hospital in an urban setting. PATIENTS: All female patients aged 14-19 yr who were referred by law enforcement for an acute sexual assault examination and were examined between May 1994 and May 1999. OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of signs of genital trauma at various anal and genital sites, as recorded by the examining clinician. RESULTS: Charts of 214 female subjects (mean age 16.3 yr) were reviewed. The most common findings were posterior fourchette tear (36%); erythema of the labia minora, hymen, cervix, or posterior fourchette (18%-32%); and swelling of the hymen (19%). Time to examination was highly correlated with the degree of injury noted (P =.000). The incidence of hymenal tears in self-described virgins was higher than in nonvirgins (19% vs. 3%, P =.008); however, the total number or severity of other injuries was not significantly higher in virgins. Victims reporting anal penetration had a higher frequency of anal injuries than those who denied such contact (14/31, 61% vs. 2/150, 1%; P =.000). CONCLUSIONS: Tears of the posterior fourchette or fossa were the most common findings (40%). Hymenal tears were uncommon, even in self-described virginal girls. Timely examination of adolescent victims is important to document injuries; however, many victims will still not have signs of bruising, abrasions, or tears.
OBJECTIVE: To document the frequency and types of genital injuries in adolescent women examined acutely following a sexual assault, and determine any historical correlates of injury. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Sexual Assault Response Team services at a community hospital in an urban setting. PATIENTS: All female patients aged 14-19 yr who were referred by law enforcement for an acute sexual assault examination and were examined between May 1994 and May 1999. OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of signs of genital trauma at various anal and genital sites, as recorded by the examining clinician. RESULTS: Charts of 214 female subjects (mean age 16.3 yr) were reviewed. The most common findings were posterior fourchette tear (36%); erythema of the labia minora, hymen, cervix, or posterior fourchette (18%-32%); and swelling of the hymen (19%). Time to examination was highly correlated with the degree of injury noted (P =.000). The incidence of hymenal tears in self-described virgins was higher than in nonvirgins (19% vs. 3%, P =.008); however, the total number or severity of other injuries was not significantly higher in virgins. Victims reporting anal penetration had a higher frequency of anal injuries than those who denied such contact (14/31, 61% vs. 2/150, 1%; P =.000). CONCLUSIONS: Tears of the posterior fourchette or fossa were the most common findings (40%). Hymenal tears were uncommon, even in self-described virginal girls. Timely examination of adolescent victims is important to document injuries; however, many victims will still not have signs of bruising, abrasions, or tears.
Authors: Marilyn S Sommers; Kathleen M Brown; Carole Buschur; Janine S Everett; Jamison D Fargo; Bonnie S Fisher; Christina Hinkle; Therese M Zink Journal: J Forensic Leg Med Date: 2012-03-06 Impact factor: 1.614
Authors: Arjo J Loeve; Rob A C Bilo; Eda Emirdag; Maryam Sharify; Frank Willem Jansen; Jenny Dankelman Journal: Forensic Sci Med Pathol Date: 2013-03-24 Impact factor: 2.007
Authors: Jennifer F Klot; Judith D Auerbach; Fulvia Veronese; Gina Brown; April Pei; Charles R Wira; Thomas J Hope; Souleymane M'boup Journal: AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses Date: 2012-11 Impact factor: 2.205
Authors: Andrea L Wirtz; Nancy Glass; Kiemanh Pham; Amsale Aberra; Leonard S Rubenstein; Sonal Singh; Alexander Vu Journal: Confl Health Date: 2013-06-12 Impact factor: 2.723
Authors: Michele R Decker; Erin Pearson; Samantha L Illangasekare; Erin Clark; Susan G Sherman Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-09-23 Impact factor: 3.295