Guide to establishing urgency of sexual offence examination

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

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

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