Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the contribution of polarized multispectral videocolposcopy (PMVC) to genital finding detection and its association with the timing of examination in alleged vaginal sexual assault/abuse cases.
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 339 cases referred to the Department of Forensic Medicine between 2011 and 2015. Sociodemographic data, victim–perpetrator relationship, event–examination interval, alcohol/drug use, and anogenital findings were recorded. Cases were examined both by naked eye and with PMVC. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used (p < 0.05).
Results: Detection of genital findings was significantly higher within the first 96 hours (χ² = 56.629; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that each day of examination delay reduced the odds of detecting findings by approximately 15%.
Conclusion: PMVC increases genital finding detection in sexual assault/abuse cases and provides objective support to forensic evaluation.
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