A Retrospective Study of Alleged Rape Victims at Forensic Medicine Department of Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh

Background: Sexual assault against women is one of the most common crimes in Bangladesh. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to find out the medico-legal findings of rape victims and to analyze the data concerning socio-demographic characteristics, the relationship between accused and victim, medico-legal examination and evaluate the role of forensic examination in dealing with sexual assault cases. Methodology: This was a retrospective study done in the department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2018 with maintaining ethical issues. The data was retrieved from police forwarding letter; history revealed by the victim during an examination, medico-legal certificates, and results of forensic laboratory examination of the exhibits. Results: We carried out a retrospective study of 404 alleged rape victims in 2018. We found that 51.9% of cases were sexually abused although a high vaginal swab for spermatozoa was found to be negative in all cases. In this study, a majority (47%) of the victims were 14-17 years of age and 59% of the victims were unmarried. 43.3% of the victims were students & 44.5% were known to the victims. Conclusion: Through investigation, medico-legal findings of rape victims were identified & verified to inquire and match with the accuser correctly. Forensic examination aided the police in correctly solving such cases.