Investigating obstetrics and gynecology forensic cases at a tertiary health center in Turkey to demonstrate the significance of forensic evaluation

Forensic Cases and Gynecologists

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic rates of forensic case patients who sought gynecological and obstetrics care, as well as the differences in forensic report production based on the event. Study design: The fol lowing factors were looked into: age of the patients, time between the incident and consultation, reason for consultation (pregnancy determination during the post-divorce waiting period, sexual assault, hymen examination, physical violence, other), time of the consultation (in-hours or out-of-hours), place of referral (prosecutor’s office/court, police station, own request), and type of report (final or preliminary). The data were obtained retrospectively. Results: When 651 forensic cases admitted to the emergency department were examined, 234 (36%), 199 (30.6%), 66 (10.6%), and 34 (5.2%) requested waiting period removal, physical assault against women, sexual assault, and hymen examination, respectively. The study revealed that 62.1% of sexual assault incidents were perpetrated by an acquaintance, 19.1% by a distant relative, and 12.1% by a first-degree family member. It was determined that the patient’s partner was responsible for 63.8% of the physical violence against women, while 24.6% was committed by a first-degree relative and 6.5% was perpetrated by other acquaintances. Conclusion: If the legislator revises the provision on the modern legal system’s waiting period, which prevents women from remarrying, judicial reports may drop rapidly. Examining cases referred to gynecologists and obstetricians in centers with forensic medicine specialists and medical staff trained in forensic medicine will ensure safer forensic examinations and medical investigations.