Forensic problems in practice VIII.-Sexual offences

In general, the examination of alleged sexual offences is a combination of perception and experience in history taking and observation, of clinical skill in examination and of meticulous retention of material for forensic science examination. It is not a task to be undertaken lightly, especially as the doctor's actions and opinions may well become the subject of intensive cross-examination at any later court proceedings. The frequency with which unfounded allegations of rape or indecent assault are made by girls makes it all the more important to help separate the genuine from the spurious cases and medical evidence frequently plays a vital role in this direction.