Use of Polarized Multispectral Videocolposcopy (PMVC) in Cases with Allegations of Vaginal Sexual Assault or Abuse
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Keywords

Sexual assault
forensic medicine
polarized videocolposcopy
anogenital injury
genital examination

How to Cite

1.
Pekşen Koç B. Use of Polarized Multispectral Videocolposcopy (PMVC) in Cases with Allegations of Vaginal Sexual Assault or Abuse. Bull Leg Med. 2026;31(2):142-7. https://doi.org/10.17986/blm.1786

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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