FAMSACA Medicolegal Matters

This month we talk with sexual assault nurse examiner Prudence Boylan. The paper discussed is: Driver M. Enacting an “Empowerment Approach” After Sexual Assault: The Views and Beliefs of Forensic Nurse Examiners and Crisis Support Workers. Journal of Forensic Nursing. 9 February 2024 Host: Assoc Prof Kathy Kramer Guest: Prudence Boylan www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

This month we talk with FAMSACA’s Education Officer, Tracey Markham. The paper discussed is: Thomas R, Willmot K, Seimon R, Derrick N, Dinh MM, Templeton DJ. Characteristics of alleged sexual assaults involving non-fatal strangulation at a Sydney metropolitan emergency department: a prospective descriptive study. J Forensic Leg Med. 2025 Oct;115:102967 Host: Assoc Prof Kathy Kramer Guest: Tracey M...

This month we talk with sexual assault nurse examiner Emily McGrath about injuries following digital-vaginal penetration. The papers discussed are: Majeed-Ariss, R., Martin, G. P., & White, C. (2024). Identifying the prevalence of genital injuries amongst patients attending Saint Mary’s sexual assault referral centre following an allegation of digital penetration. Journal of Forensic and Legal...

FAMSACA committee member and all-round good guy Cassie Noble talks us through the following study: Parekh V, McMinn J, Brkic A, Williams D, Boxx C, Bailey L, Reid K. More than meets the eye: Lid and conjunctival injuries in cases of non-sexual assault are frequently accompanied by non-fatal strangulation, Emerg Med Australas. 2024 Dec;36(6):849-855. Host: Assoc Prof Kathy Kramer Guest: Cassandra N...

In this episode, Tracey Markham discusses the ability to consent to a sexual assault medical forensic examination in adult patients with serious mental illness. Host: Assoc Prof Kathy Kramer Guest: Tracey Markham www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

Kath Evans discusses an American paper looking at how prosecutors utilise evidence that corroborates the victim's account. Reference: M.Alderden, T.Cross, M.Vlajnic and L.Siller. Prosecutors’ Perspectives on Biological Evidence and Injury Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases,  Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2021, Vol. 36(7-8) 3880–3902 Host: Assoc Prof Kathy Kramer Guest: Kathryn Evans www.fam...

In this episode, Assoc Prof Kathy Kramer talks about two recent studies that cover the same topic of non-fatal strangulation. References: Panagides et al. Enhancing foundational validity of forensic findings in nonlethal medico-legal strangulation examinations , Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Volume 109, 2025, 102800 Parekh et al. Informing therapeutic care and legal process in assault ca...

This study explores the experiences of recent sexual assault survivors who accessed integrated crisis response services in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. There is limited research on the experiences of victim-survivors, and most available studies rely on third-party accounts from counselors or advocates rather than direct perspectives from survivors themselves. In this research, we directly hea...

In this episode, we dive into the latest research on doxycycline as a potential game-changer in STI prevention. A new systematic review and meta-analysis has shown promising results for using doxycycline as a prophylactic treatment to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Join Dr Gemma Halliday and Dr Kathy Kramer as we break down the findings and discuss the implications for this wi...

In our final and most important episode, two victim-survivors who both had a medical and forensic examination, hold up a mirror to our profession.  It's not easy to listen to but we owe it to them to sit with our discomfort and hear their messages.   www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In this conversation with experts Elisabeth Awad and Carolyn Cousins, we discuss self-care - how can we protect ourselves from our work? Guests: Elisabeth Awad and Carolyn Cousins Host: Kathy Kramer www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

Tracey Markham and Kathy Kramer put their acting skills to the test as experienced advocate Hayley Dean demonstrates good, bad, and downright ugly expert witness testimony. Hosts: Kathy Kramer and Tracey Markham Guest: Hayley Dean References: Horan, Jacqueline & Goodman-Delahunty, Jane. (2020). ‘Expert Evidence to Counteract Jury Misconceptions about Consent in Sexual Assault Cases: Failures a...

In this episode the delightful Hamish Whelan, Sexual Violence Consult Service Lead at ACON, talks us through ways to engage with LGBTQI+ patients – how to earn trust and tailor our care to individual needs. Host: Kathy Kramer Guest: Hamish Whelan Here are some resources Hamish generously provided: ACON's Pride Inclusion - Pride Inclusion Programs | ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs offer a rang...

In this episode, FAMSACA has had the good fortune to interview one of Australia’s absolute experts on presenting evidence about non-fatal strangulation in court, Dr Anousha Victoire. Host: Kathy Kramer Guest: Dr Anousha Victoire Her excellent paper will also be helpful: Victoire A, De Boos J, Lynch J. ‘I thought I was about to die’: Management of non-fatal strangulation in general practice. AJGP....

Season 2 is a deep dive into various topics, starting with medical care with our special guests Ellie Freedman and Kath Evans. How has medical care following sexual assault evolved and where is it heading? Host: Kathy Kramer Guests: Dr Ellie Freedman and Kathryn Evans Please note that this is a general discussion and is not medical advice for specific cases. References: Kink A et al. Management of...

Professor David Ranson reflects on changes in forensic medicine over his long career and gives his thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of different models of forensic service delivery in Australia. He talks about interesting new developments in the use of imaging in forensic medicine. Host: Carol Stevenson Guest: Professor David Ranson www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

Professor Kristy Martire discusses her fascinating work looking at communicating expert evidence, communicating uncertainty, bias and the impact of witness likability. Host: Carol Stevenson Guest: Professor Kristy Martire www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In this episode Dr Shalu Singh and Dr Kathy Kramer talk about prepping for court and ideas for debriefing afterwards. www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In this episode we continue our discussion on how to set out an opinion and the use of standard opinion paragraphs. Hosts: Carol Stevenson and Kathy Kramer www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In this episode we will discuss how to set out an opinion and the use of standard opinion paragraphs. Hosts: Carol Stevenson and Kathy Kramer www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In this episode we discuss what should be covered in the opinion section of a report. Hosts: Carol Stevenson and Kathy Kramer Guests: David Ranson and David Wells www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In episode 11 we discuss controversial areas influencing decisions to document examination findings and general observations. We discuss observations of demeanour, mental state, and the examination of a patient with a history of recent alcohol and drug consumption. Hosts: Kathy Kramer and Carol Stevenson Guests: David Ranson and Peter Skidmore www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In episodes 10 and 11 we discuss controversial areas influencing decisions to document examination findings and general observations. We will cover the physical examination, observations of demeanour, mental state observations, and the examination in a patient with a history of recent alcohol and drug consumption. Hosts: Kathy Kramer and Carol Stevenson www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustra...

In this episode we talk about the modern trend of including more procedural detail in reports. We'll also discuss the use (and abuse) of appendices. Hosts: Carol Stevenson and Kathy Kramer Guests: David Ranson and Kristy Martire www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au

In this episode we will talk about how to obtain and record information that is relevant to a criminal case. How are decisions made about report inclusions? What should be in and what should be out? Hosts:  Carol Stevenson & Kathy Kramer Guests: David Ranson and Peter Skidmore www.famsacaustralia.org.au info@famsacaustralia.org.au