Penile lesions -- reinforcing the case against suspects of sexual assault

In most cases of sexual assault, even following long term abuse, genital and extra-genital injuries may be very scarce or literally not found. Though the forensic experts customary illustrate to the court that the absence of physical trauma does not rule out that the assault had taken place, more substantial medical evidence can be helpful in pursuing a conviction. We present three cases examined in the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel-Aviv in which information obtained during questioning of the victims concerning genital pathology of the assailant was later verified through examination of the suspects. Such data may provide key evidence to get an indictment when the assault is perpetrated by a stranger or a person who should not have an intimate relationship with the victim. Therefore, acquiring information from the victim concerning any pathology of the assailant's genitalia should be part of the routine questionnaire form of victims of suspected sexual assault or abuse as findings of this sort may become paramount in conviction of perpetrators.