Crimes against sexual integrity. Review of the medical-legal parameters of importance for the expert opinion.

Abstract

Crimes against the sexual integrity of minors take place between a child and an adult, or between a child and another child or adolescent who, due to their age or development, has a relationship of responsibility, trust or power with them. In this review, the elements of sensitivity and specificity of the findings capable of being associated with the problem are exposed. The diagnostic value of the signs and symptoms of the phenomenon is discussed, and it concludes with the formulation of ten rules of general application for medico-legal work on the matter. The difficulties involved in the expert procedure warrant rethinking the application of medico-legal methodological principles and criteria to avoid formulating erroneous diagnoses.