Guy Norfolk

Care of Detainees

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) may be asked by the police to assess the fitness for detention in police custody of adults and juveniles arrested in connection with an offense; those detained by immigration; individuals requiring a place of safety (children and the mentally ill); remanded or sentenced (convicted) prisoners; or those detained under terrorism legislation. A person in police custody is referred to as a detainee in this chapter. Detainees may have to be interviewed regarding their involvement in an offense and possibly further detained overnight for court; guidance may therefore have to be given to the custodians regarding their care.

Training of Assistant Forensic Medical Examiners in London, UK

The overall aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the quality of current practical training in London with a view to improving future training as part of faculty development. New trainees in clinical forensic medicine (CFM), Assistant Forensic Medical Examiners (AFMEs), were interviewed to gather their views of their recent training experience and to attempt to identify problems with implementing the training as it stands. An overwhelming theme emerged that there should be a more formal structure to the training of newly appointed FMEs. Each trainee should have a named clinical and educational supervisor during the training period. Furthermore it should be mandatory for educational supervisors to undergo training and review of performance.

The future of clinical forensic medicine. Quality issues need to be addressed before the service is privatised.

In 1993 the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice considered the role of police surgeons in the criminal justice system. While acknowledging that they performed much valuable work, the commission voiced concerns about a lack of central coordination and quality control of this work.1 The commission recommended that a multidisciplinary Home Office working group should be set up to consider, among other things, the need for establishing centres of excellence at universities and appropriate training and standards for doctors providing clinical forensic services to the police. In 1997 the working group produced a draft report with several recommendations for improving the service, such as the establishment of a national forum to develop accreditation and monitor its effectiveness. No final report has been published, however, and there has been no government backing for the proposals. Despite the unfinished business of addressing the quality of the service, some police forces have contracted out …

Leda and the Swan - And other myths about rape

In his David Jenkins Memorial Lecture, Dr Norfolk discusses rape and some of the myths that surround the topic, exploring the research evidence about conviction rates, false allegations, clinician gender preferences of rape victims and the role of sexual assault referral centres in service delivery.