Alleged Biological Father Incest: A Forensic Approach

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Gomes, V (Author) Other; Jardim, P (Author) Other; Taveira, F (Author) Other; Ricardo Jorge Dinis Oliveira (Author) FMUP; Teresa Magalhães (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Journal of Forensic Sciences

Vol. 59

Pages: 255-259

ISSN: 0022-1198

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-VD8

DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12310

Abstract (EN): Paternal incest is one of the most serious forms of intrafamilial sexual abuse with clinical, social, and legal relevance. A retrospective study was performed, based on forensic reports and judicial decisions of alleged cases of biological paternal incest of victims under 18 years old (n = 215) from 2003 to 2008. Results highlight that in a relevant number of cases: victims were female; the abuse begun at an early age with reiteration; the alleged perpetrator presented a history of sexual crimes against children; sexual practices were physically poorly intrusive, which associated with a forensic medical evaluation performed more than 72 h after the abuse, explain partially the absence of physical injuries or other evidence-these last aspects are different from extrafamilial cases. In conclusion, observations about paternal incest are likely to exacerbate the psychosocial consequences of the abuse and may explain the difficulty and delay in detect and disclose these cases. Few cases were legally prosecuted and convicted.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5