RELEVANCY OF MEDICAL AND FORENSIC EVIDENCE IN CASES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Abstract

The upshot of child sexual abuse has been discussed worldwide by scholars and researchers but there are many outcomes of such crimes which can be understood by victims of sexual crimes. CSA is a serious public health issue in India with long lasting physical, emotional and psychological consequences. These crimes leave a smudge of a grin and stern feeling on the victim for the entire life. Dynamics of CSA being different differs from an adult rape and altogether demands different approach of evidence collection. Medical and forensic evidence is of utmost importance in case of CSA as there is no eye-witness to these crimes in majority of the cases. A standard sexual kit employed for evidence collection needs urgent modification considering genital development of pre and post puberty victims. One of the key determinants of POCSO trial results is the existence and integrity of forensic and medical evidence. Medical and forensic evidence is critically essential to support the version of the victim in order to prove that the offence actually took place and to ascertaining the offender/perpetrator of such crime. Child survivors tend to struggle more with reporting events accurately or surviving hostile cross-examinations and hence scientific and objective means of evidence become even more crucial.