Documentation of injuries and securing evidence after violence
Clinical forensic medicine is a branch of forensic medicine that deals with the examination of living persons for possible effects of violence. It serves to provide objective, neutral, and legally admissible documentation of injuries or suspected cases of abuse, sexual abuse, or other criminally relevant acts. Clinical forensic medicine often works at the interface between medicine, the judiciary, and the police. The aim is to secure evidence that can be used in possible criminal proceedings without neglecting the duty of medical care.
Clinical forensic examination
A clinical forensic examination is a specialized medical examination of living persons in connection with suspected violence. Injuries are comprehensively documented (e.g., through photos, descriptions, imaging techniques if necessary), evidence is secured (e.g., DNA, clothing remnants), and an assessment is made regarding the origin and compatibility of the injuries with the events described. This examination is carried out independently of any police report and can also be carried out at the request of the person concerned. In principle, the doctors at the violence emergency room are bound to professional confidentiality. In cases that must be reported or have been reported, the legal regulations apply.
Clinical Forensic Medical Examination Center
A Clinical Forensic Medical Examination Center is a specialized contact point for people who have been victims of physical or sexual violence. There, injuries are documented promptly, professionally, and in accordance with forensic medicine—even if no report has been filed with the police. The documentation can be used for later criminal proceedings. Those affected also receive counseling and support upon request, for example, regarding legal steps or protection options. The aim of the violence emergency room is to offer low-threshold help to those affected and to enable the preservation of evidence, which is often crucial for subsequent criminal proceedings.
