Cohen Philip R, Sutton Lerah
Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, CA, USA.
Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2025 Jan;15(1):1-13. doi: 10.1007/s13555-024-01322-w. Epub 2024 Dec 21.
Specialists in forensic medicine assist in crime scene investigations. The forensic medicine experts include anthropologists, ballistic analysts, entomologists, odontologists, and osteologists. The experts are usually not at the crime scene; they provide an evaluation of evidence that is sent to them. After they complete their assessment of the evidence, they prepare a specialized presentation of their findings: a forensic expert analytical report. The format of the report is variable depending on which forensic expert is writing it; however, there are certain mandatory sections that are included: the chain of evidence, the methods of evidence evaluation, the results of the evaluation of the evidence, and the discussion (including the conclusion) of what the evidence demonstrates. Forensic dermatology is an emerging subfield of medicine. Dermatologists are experts in evaluating the skin, mucosa, hair, and nails. It is anticipated that the demand for forensic dermatology will increase as individuals who currently evaluate crime scenes become aware of the potential benefit of consulting a forensic dermatologist. An illustrative hypothetical forensic dermatology expert analytical report is presented. Like other forensic expert analytical reports, the forensic dermatology expert analytical report has four primary sections. The chain of evidence section is a chronologic documentation that not only identifies the protected care and control of the evidence but also the transfer of the evidence to another individual. The methods section is a comprehensive presentation of the analysis of the evidence; it comprises the majority of an analytical report. The results section provides the information obtained after the evidence has been evaluated; it should be written in plain language, so it is readily able to be understood by not only the other investigators but also the members of the legal profession (including the judge and the attorneys) and the members of the jury. The discussion section includes the opinion of the dermatologist and should be a summary of the investigation findings that puts the analysis of the evidence into context; it can include a conclusion section and should also be written in plain language. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, the template of the illustrative forensic dermatology expert analytical report can be modified by the dermatologists who is preparing their analytical report. In conclusion, an excellent forensic dermatology expert report will aid both other investigators and the members of the legal system-such as the attorneys, judge, and jury-who are involved in the case. In addition, when the forensic dermatology expert testifies as an expert witness in court, the report will be an asset for the dermatologist.
法医学专家协助犯罪现场调查。法医学专家包括人类学家、弹道分析师、昆虫学家、牙科学家和骨科学家。这些专家通常不在犯罪现场；他们对送交他们的证据进行评估。在完成对证据的评估后，他们会就自己的发现准备一份专门的报告：一份法医专家分析报告。报告的格式因撰写报告的法医专家而异；然而，其中包含某些必填部分：证据链、证据评估方法、证据评估结果以及对证据所证明内容的讨论（包括结论）。法医皮肤病学是医学中一个新兴的子领域。皮肤科医生是评估皮肤、黏膜、毛发和指甲的专家。预计随着目前参与犯罪现场评估的人员意识到咨询法医皮肤科医生的潜在益处，对法医皮肤病学的需求将会增加。本文给出了一份示例性的法医皮肤病学专家分析报告。与其他法医专家分析报告一样，法医皮肤病学专家分析报告有四个主要部分。证据链部分是一份按时间顺序记录的文件，它不仅要确定证据的保管和控制情况，还要记录证据向另一个人的转移情况。方法部分全面介绍了对证据的分析；它构成了分析报告的大部分内容。结果部分提供了评估证据后获得的信息；应以通俗易懂的语言撰写，这样不仅其他调查人员，而且法律界人士（包括法官和律师）以及陪审团成员都能轻松理解。讨论部分包括皮肤科医生的意见，应该是对调查结果的总结，将证据分析置于背景之中；它可以包括一个结论部分，也应以通俗易懂的语言撰写。根据案件的具体情况，准备分析报告的皮肤科医生可以对示例性法医皮肤病学专家分析报告的模板进行修改。总之，一份出色的法医皮肤病学专家报告将有助于其他调查人员以及参与案件的法律系统人员，如律师、法官和陪审团。此外，当法医皮肤病学专家在法庭上作为专家证人作证时，该报告将对皮肤科医生有所帮助。
