| Forensic medical examination of refugees who claim to have been tortured. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 15894844 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The United Nations Convention against torture prohibits repatriation of refugees if there is reason to believe they will be tortured on return to their country. A history of torture is therefore an important factor in making a case for asylum. In this study, the results of the medical examinations of 59 torture victims investigated at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark, 1996-2002, are presented and discussed. Variables including age, sex, education, health, torture methods, condition of confinement, torture aftereffects, and findings at the forensic examination were registered in a database (Paradox) and analyzed. In 70%, aftereffects of torture could be documented. These included scars after fixation, burns, incisions, or flogging. Symptoms and signs from joints, muscles, and nerves were common in victims who had been suspended. Many of the victims of phalanga had painful feet and signs of walking impairment. A majority of the victims suffered from posttraumatic stress syndrome. An independent medical report offers an opportunity to evaluate and elaborate the story told by the victim and should be used in disputed cases. We have a duty to protect refugees against torture. |
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Authors:
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Peter Mygind Leth; Jytte Banner |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology Volume: 26 ISSN: 0195-7910 ISO Abbreviation: Am J Forensic Med Pathol Publication Date: 2005 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2005-05-16 Completed Date: 2005-08-09 Revised Date: 2011-02-02 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8108948 Medline TA: Am J Forensic Med Pathol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 125-30 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. pleth@health.sdu.dk |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Asia, Western / ethnology Cicatrix / pathology Denmark / epidemiology Ecchymosis / pathology Foot Injuries / pathology Forensic Medicine* Hematoma / pathology Humans Joints / injuries Male Medical History Taking Middle Aged Pain / epidemiology Peripheral Nerves / injuries Physical Examination* Prisoners / psychology Refugees / psychology* Skin / injuries, pathology Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology Tooth Injuries / pathology Torture / psychology*, statistics & numerical data Walking / physiology Yugoslavia / ethnology |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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