ArticleBMJ open2023
Medical evidence assisting non-fatal strangulation prosecution: a scoping review.
Article in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.
- Examining the use of alternative light sources in medico-legal assessments of blunt-force trauma: a systematic review.International journal of legal medicine · 2024Pooled it
- Health outcomes of victim-survivors accessing specialist domestic abuse services: the role of abuse experience, vulnerabilities and sociodemographic characteristics.BMC women's health · 2026Article
- The current state of forensic imaging- clinical forensic imaging.International journal of legal medicine · 2025Review
- Prevalence of Sexual Strangulation/Choking Among Australian 18-35 Year-Olds.Archives of sexual behavior · 2025Article
- Choking/Strangulation During Sex: Understanding and Negotiating "Safety" Among 18-35 Year Old Australians.Archives of sexual behavior · 2025Article
- Intimate Partner Violence-Related Brain Injury: Unmasking and Addressing the Gaps.Journal of neurotrauma · 2024Review
- Longitudinal visibility of MRI findings in living victims of strangulation.International journal of legal medicine · 2024Article
- Reconstruction of Trauma Dynamics Due to Ligature Strangulation by Using a Dynamometer: A Technical Report.Cureus · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesNon-fatal strangulation (NFS) is a serious form of gendered violence that is fast becoming an offence in many jurisdictions worldwide. However, it often leaves little or no externally visible injuries making prosecution challenging. This review aimed to provide an overview of how health professionals can support the prosecution of criminal charges of NFS as part of regular practice, particularly when externally visible injuries are absent.
methodEleven databases were searched with terms related to NFS and medical evidence in health sciences and legal databases. Eligible articles were English language and peer reviewed, published before 30 June 2021; sample over 18 years that had primarily survived a strangulation attempt and included medical investigations of NFS injuries, clinical documentation of NFS or medical evidence related to NFS prosecution.
resultsSearches found 25 articles that were included for review. Alternate light sources appeared to be the most effective tool for finding evidence of intradermal injury among NFS survivors that were not otherwise visible. However, there was only one article that examined the utility of this tool. Other common diagnostic imaging was less effective at detection, but were sought after by prosecutors, particularly MRIs of the head and neck. Recording injuries and other aspects of the assault using standardised tools specific for NFS were suggested for documenting evidence. Other documentation included writing verbatim quotes of the experience of the assault and taking good quality photographs that could assist with corroborating a survivor's story and proving intent, if relevant for the jurisdiction.
conclusionClinical responses to NFS should include investigation and standardised documentation of internal and external injuries, subjective complaints and the experience of the assault. These records can assist in providing corroborating evidence of the assault, reducing the need for survivor testimony in court proceedings and increasing the likelihood of a guilty plea.
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Registered trials
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