Article Abstract:
Research in the clinical features of normal, injured and healed anogenital anatomy is significant in the investigation of child sexual abuse. The physical injuries of a prepubertal child are different from injuries experienced by adolescents and adults. The hymen and adjacent tissues are the most commonly injured parts. The different stages of the healing process for the injured tissues can not be accurately determined. A major barrier in the research is the utilization of the child as a subject. The emotional impact of medical evaluation contributes to the problem.
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Article Abstract:
The research regarding the normal anogenital anatomy in relation to child sexual abuse is significant since it is the primary basis for evidence documentation of the offense. Since medical examiners are asked to perform the physical examinations, they must be competently knowledgeable in distinguishing the appearance of the anatomy of both abused and non-abused children. Barriers of the research are attributed to difficulties in studies of non-abused populations and inadequate funding source.
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Article Abstract:
Guidelines in the research concerning the clinical features of normal, injured and healed anogenital anatomy are used in child sexual abuse investigations. Physicians are the most capable professionals that can determine the injury although they must be have the knowledge and experience in differentiating a normal anatomy from an injured tissue. A gold standard is used to evaluate other abuse signs and measure their positive and negative predictive outcomes.
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