Citation

Gignon M, Paupière S, Jardè O, Manaouil C. Med. Sci. Law 2010; 50(3): 145-148.

Affiliation

Forensic Unit, Amiens University Hospital, Place Victor Pauchet, F-80054 Amiens cedex 1, France. gignon.maxime@chu-amiens.fr

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21133266

Abstract

In France, victims of assault receive a medical certificate describing their injuries. This certificate must fulfill certain criteria because it plays a major role in the subsequent judicial proceedings--notably the establishment of a period of 'total incapacity for work', which determines the court in which the case will be heard. Determination of the duration of this period of incapacity is complex. We decided to review medical examination procedures for victims of assault in a number of other European countries (England and Wales, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Spain). Our study revealed that only in France do physicians have to make a quantitative assessment of injuries, which is supposed to reflect the extent of the injuries and the intensity of the violence--despite the difficulties this may pose. We discuss the relevance of this quantitative assessment.

Language: en