Abstract
A forensic physical evaluation can identify signs and symptoms of torture or ill-treatment, which can be objectively documented as evidence on behalf of people who are seeking asylum. Physicians and other clinicians can therefore play an important role in the assessment of asylum seekers who express claims of torture or ill-treatment. In order to avoid re-traumatization of individuals who are seeking asylum, it is important to take an organized, trauma-informed approach to the interview and examination. Appropriate preparation, a comprehensive interview, and a pertinent exam are key elements of a medical forensic examination.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implemented; 2016 [cited 2020 August 15]. Available from: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/childrens_mental_health/atc-whitepaper-040616.pdf.
Physicians for Human Rights. Examining asylum seekers: a clinician’s guide to physical and psychological evaluations of torture and ill-treatment. Cambridge, MA: Physicians for Human Rights; 2012.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Istanbul protocol: Manual on the effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Professional Training Series No. 8/Rev. 1; 2004. [cited 2020 August 15]. Available from https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/training8Rev1en.pdf.
Arnold F. Treatment and management of wounds and scars of torture. Wounds UK. 2009;5:60–71.
Forrest DM. Examination for the late physical aftereffects of torture. J Clin Forensic Med. 1996;6(1):4–13.
Moreno A, Grodin MA. Torture and its neurological sequelae. Spinal Cord. 2002;40(5):213–23.
Porr J, Laframboise M, Kazemi M. Traumatic hyoid bone fracture – a case report and review of the literature. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(4):269–74.
Moisander PA, Edston E. Torture and its sequel–a comparison between victims from six countries. Forensic Sci Int. 2003;137(2–3):133–40.
McKenzie KC, Buaer J, Reynolds P. Asylum seekers in a time or record forced global displacement: the role of physicians. J Gen Intern Med. 2018;34(1):137–43.
Miller C, Popelka J, Griffin N. Confirming torture: the use of imaging in victims of Falanga. Forensic Magazine. 2014;
Danielsen L, Rasmussen OV. Dermatological findings after alleged torture. Torture. 2006;16(2):108–27.
Perera P. Scars of torture: a Sri Lankan study. J Forensic Legal Med. 2007;14:138–45.
Scruggs E, Guetterman TC, Meyer AC, VanArtsdalen J, Heisler M. An absolutely necessary piece: a qualitative study of legal perspectives on medical affidavits in the asylum process. J Forensic Legal Med. 2016;44:72–8.
McKenzie KC, Thomas A. Assisting asylum seekers in a time of global forced displacement: five clinical cases. J Forensic Legal Med. 2017;49:37–41.
Park R, Oomen J. Context, evidence and attitude: the case for photography in medical examinations of asylum seekers in the Netherlands. Soc Sci Med. 2019;71:228–35.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Zeidan, A., Ferdowsian, H. (2022). Physical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers. In: McKenzie, K.C. (eds) Asylum Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81580-6_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81580-6_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-81579-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-81580-6
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)