Guide to establishing urgency of sexual offence examination

These two flowcharts (pre-pubertal and post-pubertal) are for the use of appropriately trained forensic clinicians and paediatricians:

• forensic clinicians and paediatricians, for complainants/complainers who are children, i.e. under the age of 18 years;
• forensic clinicians for complainants/complainers who are adults, i.e. over the age of 18 years.

The flowcharts are intended to help the forensic clinician’s decision-making process when deciding if a forensic medical examination is warranted between midnight and 07:00, or can wait and be done during the day.