Forensic Science,Autopsy surgeon and Forensic Death Investigator.

Sexually Related
Homicides
Medicolegal aspects of Sexually Related Homicides

DR. Roman Al Mamun

12/4/2017
  Sexually Related Homicides

Sexually Related Homicides

Sexually related homicides fall into two categories:
1. Rape homicides
2.Homosexually related homicides.

1.RAPE HOMICIDES

A. The victim is typically female.

1. She is found on her back, naked, with her legs spread apart. If not completely
nude, she will be naked from the waist down with her bra often pushed up above
her breasts.
2. There may be bite marks and/or bruises of the breasts as well as bruising of the
inner thighs.
3. Trauma to the vagina and anus is common, though not invariable. When present,
it is usually relatively minor.
a. Abrasions, contusions, and/or small superficial lacerations may be
present at the introitus of the vagina.They are most common at the six-o’clock
position.
b. In the anus, minor injuries are present at the anal verge,scattered
around the circumference in a random fashion.
c. Examination of the perineum, perianal area, and thighs using
ultraviolet light may reveal seminal deposits.This light will cause semen to
fluoresce though this is not specific.The suspected semen should be recovered for
analysis.
4. Rape homicides rarely involve shooting. Usually there is evidence of
strangulation, not uncommonly associated with blunt trauma to the head and/or
stabbing. Often, two of these three elements are present; occasionally, all three.

X
Roman Al Mamun
DR.

2|Page
  Sexually Related Homicides

B. In children.

*Rape may be very violent, with severe vaginal/rectal tears, due to the small
size of the vagina and rectum.

C. In all rape and suspected rape cases, swabs of the

mouth, rectum,and vagina should be taken.

1. Semen is not always found in rape cases. This may be due to failure of
ejaculation, aspermia, or even use of a condom.
2. Laboratory examination of these specimens consists initially of the examination
of slides made from the swabs for sperm.If these are present, then one can perform
DNA analysis. If no sperm are seen, chemical tests such as acid phosphatase
should be performed. DNA tests may still be positive in the absence of sperm.
3. Sperm can be recovered from a dead body for days after death,or at least until
advanced decomposition sets in.
4. In individuals who after being raped were able to get up, dress,and move about
prior to being killed, their panties should be examined for drainage of seminal
fluid.
5. It is important to remember that in taking swabs of the rectum,the body should
always be turned facedown, the buttocks spread, and the swabs inserted directly
into the anus without contacting the perianal skin. This is because drainage from
the vagina can run posteriorly, between the buttocks, contaminating the perianal
skin. If the swabs are allowed to contact the perianal skin, they may pick up some
of this material, thus indicating anal intercourse occurred when it may not have.
6. Human bite marks should be documented photographically and if possible with
impressions. Prior to taking any impressions, one should always swab the area for
saliva that could be used for DNA examination.

The classical method of swabbing was using a wet swab.

X
Roman Al Mamun
DR.

3|Page
  Sexually Related Homicides

There is a newer method called the double swab technique in

which a wet cotton swab of the bite is made and then followed by a
dry cotton swab.
The material then can be analyzed by DNA analysis.

II. HOMOSEXUALLY RELATED HOMICIDES:

 Homosexually related homicides are relatively uncommon.

 Most deaths are not “rapes” but due to personal conflicts.
 There is rarely evidence of sexual assault.

A. They tend to be more violent than heterosexual homicides, with a greater

number of injuries (sharp, blunt, and total) per case with the injuries more
extensive.
B. The deaths are characterized by numerous stab marks, blunt trauma and
asphyxia. There is significantly less use of firearms compared to heterosexual
homicides.
C. Some cases are very bizarre in their presentation.

III. EVIDENCE OF CHRONIC ANAL INTERCOURSE:

Objective evidence of chronic anal intercourse is important in suspected

cases of sexual abuse of a child.

A. The traditional description, in both children and adults, was of a gaping

patulous anus and/or a funnel anus. These findings, however, are usually not
diagnostic of chronic anal intercourse.
B. The patulous anus can be routinely seen postmortem in both children and
adults who have not engaged in anal intercourse.

X
Roman Al Mamun
DR.

4|Page
  Sexually Related Homicides

C. The funnel anus is an anatomical variant.

D. Only extremely marked dilatation of the anus is now considered significant.
E. There is, of course, no tone in an anus after death.
F. Chronic irritation of the skin around the anus may be totally unrelated to sexual
intercourse but rather due to inflammatory problems.

X
Roman Al Mamun
DR.

5|Page