Clinical forensic examinations are medical examinations conducted on living individuals in connection with the investigation of suspected criminal offences. The examinations may concern victims or suspects and include documentation of injuries, collection of samples, and the preparation of medico-legal reports for use by authorities.
The project examines the current state of clinical forensic medicine in Finland. Particular attention is paid to practices within wellbeing services counties, the availability of examinations, documentation procedures, and the content and quality of medico-legal reports. At present, practices vary considerably between regions, and specialised services are largely concentrated in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
The study consists of several sub-studies. Data are collected through surveys targeting wellbeing services counties, the judiciary, and the police, as well as through assessments of the quality of medico-legal reports. The results will be used to support the development of national practices, guidelines, and training, and to strengthen cooperation between authorities.
Goals
The aims of the project are to
- map existing practices and documentation procedures within wellbeing services counties
- examine the availability and implementation of clinical forensic examinations
- assess the content and quality of medico-legal reports
- provide evidence to support the development of more uniform national guidelines, practices, and training.
In the long term, the project aims to improve legal protection for citizens and to support the work of the police and the judiciary.
Implementation
The project is implemented as a multi-part study. Data are primarily collected through surveys targeting healthcare professionals in wellbeing services counties, representatives of the judiciary, and the police. In addition, the content and quality of medico-legal reports are assessed using archival material from the police, the judiciary, and/or wellbeing services counties.
The results are published in international scientific journals and national professional publications, and they are used to support the development of training, guidelines, and network activities in clinical forensic medicine.
Contact details
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