The comparison of seminal stains extracted from swabs collected by physicians of the out-patient department and the forensic medicine department at Siriraj Hospital.

ABSTRACT

The comparison of seminal stains extracted from swabs collected by physicians of the out-patient Department (OPD) and the Forensic Medicine Department at Siriraj Hospital has been carried out. 261 swab samples were collected from January 1, 1988 through December 31, 1992. The results showed that the swabs from vaginal rape case victims collected by physicians at OPD were not satisfactory. Physicians in OPD should use great care in the collection of specimens of vaginal discharges particularly in cases of rape where such a specimen is key evidence in criminal and civilian procedure of Thai Codes. Additionally, in the author’s opinion, the rape victims should be immediately referred to forensic physicians for closer examination and collection of evidence.