[Survived offenses of physical and sexual integrity--the responsibilities of the emergency physician]

The examination of living victims of physical and sexual assault as well as the documentation of injuries are tasks of the emergency physician. His observations and the documentation by photography, diagrams and description of findings are the basis for further legal proceedings. This article addresses the duties and responsibilities as well as the practical procedures of the physician regarding the announcement of incidents indicating crimes against the corporal and sexual integrity of patients to the authorities and the documentation of findings in general and addresses some special situations likely to occur in any medical emergency.