Normal to be Normal: Understanding Medical Evidence in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
This workshop focuses on presenting pediatric sexual assault exams—especially “normal” findings—as powerful corroboration in child sexual abuse trials. Participants learn to prepare and use medical experts to clearly explain anatomy, exam results, and penetration elements in ways juries understand.
Suggested Audience: Prosecutors and other MDT members
Full Description: Successfully prosecuting child sexual abuse cases often hinges on how medical evidence is presented and framed for the jury. This workshop addresses the critical importance of the pediatric sexual assault exam, particularly the strategy for effectively presenting "normal" findings—which occur in the vast majority of child sexual abuse cases—as corroboration of a child’s testimony.
Prosecutors and MDT members will gain deep insight into how to prepare and present expert medical testimony that clarifies complex anatomy for the jury. Participants will learn how to leverage the expert witness not only to explain the exam findings but also to explain anatomy, equipping prosecutors with the medical evidence needed to argue the element of penetration.
Learning Objectives:
Articulate the process and key components of a pediatric sexual assault exam.
Leverage "normal" forensic findings to effectively corroborate a child's statement and disclosure of sexual assault.
Develop medical professionals as expert witnesses to establish the element of penetration and simplify anatomical evidence for the jury.
Speaker(s): Kathleen Nolan
