Abstract
The correct assessment of signs of abuse on the skin is a challenge of utmost importance for both clinical and forensic applications. This review aims to investigate how differing cultural behaviors influence the perception of abuse, focusing on the need for a multidisciplinary approach and investigation. A literature search for articles that discussed folk practices from a forensic perspective was performed; articles with reference to abuse in the description of the main folk healing techniques and with reference to the differential diagnosis between physical abuse and skin injuries due to folk healing techniques were selected. A synoptic table of all skin injuries produced by folk healing techniques, divided by geographical area, was created. This table can be used as a tool for the thorough assessment of typical signs detectable on the skin, thus aiding in a differential diagnosis. The first approach to the patient represents a crucial step toward the identification of abuse; forensic practitioners ought to be aware of the existence of folk healing techniques which may mimic signs that can be interpreted as physical abuse in children and adults.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 580-590 |
| Journal | Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Bruising
- Clinical forensic medicine
- Differential diagnosis
- Folk healing techniques
- Physical abuse
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Cite this
Skin lesions and traditional folk practices : a medico-legal perspective. / Viero, Alessia; Amadasi, Alberto; Blandino, Alberto; Kustermann, Alessandra; Montisci, Massimo; Cattaneo, Cristina.
In: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, Vol. 15, No. 4, 01.01.2019, p. 580-590.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Skin lesions and traditional folk practices
T2 - a medico-legal perspective
AU - Viero, Alessia
AU - Amadasi, Alberto
AU - Blandino, Alberto
AU - Kustermann, Alessandra
AU - Montisci, Massimo
AU - Cattaneo, Cristina
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - The correct assessment of signs of abuse on the skin is a challenge of utmost importance for both clinical and forensic applications. This review aims to investigate how differing cultural behaviors influence the perception of abuse, focusing on the need for a multidisciplinary approach and investigation. A literature search for articles that discussed folk practices from a forensic perspective was performed; articles with reference to abuse in the description of the main folk healing techniques and with reference to the differential diagnosis between physical abuse and skin injuries due to folk healing techniques were selected. A synoptic table of all skin injuries produced by folk healing techniques, divided by geographical area, was created. This table can be used as a tool for the thorough assessment of typical signs detectable on the skin, thus aiding in a differential diagnosis. The first approach to the patient represents a crucial step toward the identification of abuse; forensic practitioners ought to be aware of the existence of folk healing techniques which may mimic signs that can be interpreted as physical abuse in children and adults.
AB - The correct assessment of signs of abuse on the skin is a challenge of utmost importance for both clinical and forensic applications. This review aims to investigate how differing cultural behaviors influence the perception of abuse, focusing on the need for a multidisciplinary approach and investigation. A literature search for articles that discussed folk practices from a forensic perspective was performed; articles with reference to abuse in the description of the main folk healing techniques and with reference to the differential diagnosis between physical abuse and skin injuries due to folk healing techniques were selected. A synoptic table of all skin injuries produced by folk healing techniques, divided by geographical area, was created. This table can be used as a tool for the thorough assessment of typical signs detectable on the skin, thus aiding in a differential diagnosis. The first approach to the patient represents a crucial step toward the identification of abuse; forensic practitioners ought to be aware of the existence of folk healing techniques which may mimic signs that can be interpreted as physical abuse in children and adults.
KW - Bruising
KW - Clinical forensic medicine
KW - Differential diagnosis
KW - Folk healing techniques
KW - Physical abuse
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85065701348&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85065701348&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12024-019-00115-4
DO - 10.1007/s12024-019-00115-4
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85065701348
VL - 15
SP - 580
EP - 590
JO - Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology
JF - Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology
SN - 1547-769X
IS - 4
ER -