Forensic examination of suspected child victims of sexual abuse in the UK: a personal view

Guidelines have tended to lag behind existing knowledge and made inadequate differentiation between prepubertal and adolescent cases. They have also placed a high degree of reliance on statements from children without regard to the context in which any 'disclosure' had arisen. Photodocumentation has important benefits, and limitations. Images may not display the true depth of field and are not the same as examining the child directly. Examination must remain the gold standard. There is a moral duty of care on the examining doctor to understand and clarify the status of findings dispassionately and with due regard to the level of the evidence base.