This document summarizes the services provided by the Forensic Pathology Service in Hong Kong, including examining victims of sexual violence. It outlines the staff and facilities available, as well as the process for examining adult rape victims which involves obtaining consent, taking a history, conducting a general and genital examination, collecting forensic specimens, and documenting findings. Arrangements for examinations include availability through police at offices or on-call, aiming to examine fresh cases within 72 hours when possible.
This document summarizes the services provided by the Forensic Pathology Service in Hong Kong, including examining victims of sexual violence. It outlines the staff and facilities available, as well as the process for examining adult rape victims which involves obtaining consent, taking a history, conducting a general and genital examination, collecting forensic specimens, and documenting findings. Arrangements for examinations include availability through police at offices or on-call, aiming to examine fresh cases within 72 hours when possible.
This document summarizes the services provided by the Forensic Pathology Service in Hong Kong, including examining victims of sexual violence. It outlines the staff and facilities available, as well as the process for examining adult rape victims which involves obtaining consent, taking a history, conducting a general and genital examination, collecting forensic specimens, and documenting findings. Arrangements for examinations include availability through police at offices or on-call, aiming to examine fresh cases within 72 hours when possible.
2007-02-14 Forensic Examination for Victims of Sexual Violence Dr SHUM Shui-fung, Bobby Head of NT Division, Forensic Pathology Service, Department of Health Forensic Pathology Service Department of Health Provides forensic pathology and clinical forensic medicine services to government departments
Operate public mortuaries Attend scenes of crimes Clinical medico-legal examinations Consultation Court proceedings Forensic Pathology Service Scope of Service Sexual offences Serious Wounding Cases Child Abuse CAT (Convention Against Torture) Claimant Victims Suspects
Medical Staff 15 Forensic Pathologists + 1 Pathologist FP: 13 male, 2 female Assistants to Forensic Pathologists 8 Police Officers: 5 male, 3 female Forensic Pathology Service Staff Forensic Pathology Service
Public Mortuaries Histopathology Laboratories Offices with Clinical Examination Facilities HKI (PHQ) Tel 28602466 K (KWRPHQ) Tel 27612405 NT (NTNRPHQ) Tel 26664224 Facilities Forensic Pathology Service
11/F, NTN Regional Police HQ On Po Lane, Tai Po Tel 26664224 NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office NT Office Forensic Pathology Service
6/F, Arsenal House West Wing, Police HQ Arsenal Street, Wanchai Tel 28602466 HKI Office HKI Office HKI Office HKI Office HKI Office HKI Office Forensic Pathology Service
3/F, KW Regional Police HQ Argyle Street Tel 27612405 Kln Office Sexual Offence Rape, attempted rape Indecent assault Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13/16 Unlawful sexual intercourse with mentally defective Buggery Rape Cap 200 Crimes Ordinance: A man commits rape if- (a) he has unlawful sexual intercourse with a woman who at the time of the intercourse does not consent to it; and (b) at that time he knows that she does not consent to the intercourse or he is reckless as to whether she consents to it Forensic Examination of Victims of Sexual Violence Evidence (physical / laboratory) Sexual intercourse injury to private parts presence of semen Non-consensual pattern of injuries toxicological examination Forensic Examination of Victims of Sexual Violence Medical treatment must take priority SAFETY OF VICTIM COMES FIRST!! Examination Suite Accessibility (24 hour) Security (restricted, lock) Cleanliness / Comfortableness (warm) Privacy (view & sound, entry & exit) Enough space Examination Suite Waiting area (family, SW, police) Examination area (forensic pathologists, chaperone / nurse, interpreter) Equipment (couch, lighting, magnifying glass, swabs, specimen containers, water) Toilet
Forensic Examination of Adult Rape Victims Consent History Physical Examination general examination genito-anal examination Sample collection Documentation and reporting Consent Consent Informed Voluntary Capacity - MIP guardian invoke Part IVC guardianship board History What signs to look for What samples to take How to interpret findings
History Routine background Medical Gynaecological Sexual What happened The victim should not be asked to describe the assault repeatedly
Physical Examination General examination Genito-anal examination General Examination General Examination General appearance Upper arms, forearms and hands Face, ears, lips Scalp Neck Breasts Abdomen Thighs and Legs Hips and Buttocks
Non genito-anal injuries Bruises and contusions (e.g. inner aspect of thighs, scalp, face, lips); Lacerations (e.g. scalp, forearm); Ligature marks (e.g. ankles, wrists and neck); Pattern injuries (i.e. fingertip marks, scratch marks, bite marks, factitious self-inflicted injuries) Defensive Injuries Road Surface Injuries Lip Bruising Fingertip Bruising Genito-anal Examination Inspection, labial traction Swabs Speculum Anal +/- digital +/- proctoscope Genito-anal Examination Genito-anal Injuries Genito-anal injuries Genito-anal injuries Forensic Specimens Vulval / vaginal / endocervical swabs Buccal swabs for DNA profiling Other swabs (e.g. anal, oral, breasts) Fingernail (clipping / scraping) Pubic hair Clothing / debris +/- Toxicological samples (blood, urine) Forensic Specimens Forensic Specimens Vulval / vaginal / endocervical swabs Buccal swabs for DNA profiling Other swabs (e.g. anal, oral, breasts) Fingernail (clipping / scraping) Pubic hair Clothing / debris +/- Toxicological samples (blood, urine) Forensic Specimens Oral swab: up to 1 day (usually few hours Drugs and alcohol: blood up to 4 days (usually half-day) urine up to 7 days Rectal swab: 3 days (usually 1 day) Vaginal swab: up to 7 days (usually < 72 hours) Skin swab: before washing Dry material (panties): before washing Swab Taking Arrangement - Availability Through police Office hours (~ 9-5): offices of respective regions HKI (PHQ) Tel 28602466 K (KWRPHQ) Tel 27612405 NT (NTNPHQ) Tel 26664224 Outside Office (after 5, public holidays: Forensic pathologist on-call) Arrangement - Timing Drug-facilitated cases: ASAP Fresh/recent cases < 72 hours: earliest time practicable (usu. < 2 hours or so) Cold cases: earliest convenience Arrangement - Place Hospitals (A&ED, Wards - if indicated e.g. admitted/for joint examination) Rain Lily CAIU Examination Suites (child, vulnerable victims) Forensic Pathologists Offices (if mobile, esp. cold cases)
Forensic Evidence & FPs role Factual evidence v Expert evidence Impartial, for court and justice, not for either side Non-judgmental (we are not jurors) Objective, disinterested, independent, uninfluenced Opinion: scientific method applied on available data Limited to field of expertise Further Reading Available for free download at WHO > WHO sites > Injuries and Violence Prevention > Publications > Violence publications