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Forensic dermatology: An integral subspecialty of dermatology. Introducing a new section in Clinics in Dermatology
Philip R Cohen1, Leonard J Hoenig2, Lawrence Charles Parish3
1Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA; Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, California, USA; Maples Center for Forensic Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Abstract:
Forensic dermatology is not only a worldwide phenomenon but also an important subspecialty of both forensic medicine and dermatology. It encompasses traditional forensic dermatology (by aiding in establishing the cause and manner of death of decedents) and clinical forensic dermatology (by assessing live victims of abuse and neglect, human trafficking, and torture). Forensic dermatology assists in legal and criminal investigations by carefully examining the skin, mucosa, hair, and nails and accurately assessing the findings. A forensic dermatologist may use the forensic dermatology expert analytic report to summarize not only the observations but also their evaluation as an expert witness during a trial. Collaboration, documentation, and education are the pillars of forensic dermatology. To provide a forum for advancing knowledge in forensic dermatology, a new section dedicated to this field of medicine has been added to Clinics in Dermatology.
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