Module 5
Medical Forensic Sexual Assault Examinations: What Are They, and What Can They Tell the Courts?

Detailed Genital Assessment

SANEs are trained to examine both female and male sexual assault victims. The SANE examines the patient’s external genitals, penis, anus, vagina, and cervix for injury, utilizing the aids to accurate visualization described below. Using genital maps of external and internal genitalia, the SANE documents and describes any injuries, again noting location, size, and appearance. The principle aids to visualizing and recording genital injuries are the colposcope with photographic capabilities, the digital camera, and Toluidine blue dye.

  • Colposcope: A magnification device used to view possible external and internal genital injuries, such as abrasions and lacerations, which are difficult to see or easily missed with the naked eye. Some colposcopes have photographic capability.
  • Digital Camera: Many SANE programs use a digital camera only. Photographing genital injuries is controversial because of the risks to patient privacy.
  • Toluidine blue dye: This is a staining technique in which dye adheres to small areas of abraded skin and microlacerations, resulting in identification of otherwise invisible injuries
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