Domestic and gender-based violence is one of the most significant societal issues concerning violence, due to its widespread prevalence, the challenges in combating it, entrenched social stereotypes, and its long-term psychological, social, and often physical consequences for victims.
As a problem that has accompanied humanity throughout history, it has been extensively studied, and continuous efforts are made to develop methods for its prevention and mitigation. However, due to its complexity, no comprehensive solution has been found to eradicate or minimize it effectively.
The state and the justice system face several critical tasks: developing an effective framework for public awareness and victim education (ensuring they know how, where, and to whom to turn for help), establishing efficient investigative mechanisms, and creating a well-functioning support system for victims. Each of these aspects involves specialists from various fields, including law enforcement, media, social workers, medical professionals (forensic doctors, forensic nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists, among others). A robust legal framework must also be in place to support these mechanisms and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. Only a well-structured and efficiently functioning system can instill lasting trust among victims and society, ensuring both protection for those affected and an impartial, effective, and high-quality investigative and judicial process.
One of the most crucial elements of this system is the collection of forensic evidence, a responsibility shared by law enforcement and medical professionals, particularly forensic doctors. In addition to adhering to established regulatory standards and protocols, these professionals must be well-trained and equipped with the necessary tools to detect, collect, and analyze traces of violence. This is essential for producing legally admissible evidence that can support judicial proceedings. The effectiveness of the justice system hinges on two key factors: victims seeking help in a timely manner and forensic specialists being able to identify and secure the necessary evidence.
In cases of physical violence, gathering information is a critical step. This includes medical examinations, visual assessments, and the collection of biological traces. Trained medical professionals, such as forensic doctors and forensic nurses (or medical examiners, depending on jurisdiction), play a central role in this process. A key aspect is documenting the victim’s physical condition, focusing on injuries and other traces of interaction with the perpetrator, such as marks left by objects, weapons, biological traces, chemical substances, and particulate matter.
While some injuries and traces are externally visible, others remain undetectable to the naked eye. For instance, internal injuries require medical imaging and specialized diagnostic tests, while biological traces, such as saliva, may be invisible due to their optical properties. Additionally, bruises in their early stages may not yet be fully developed or visible, especially those deeper within tissues. Traditionally, a secondary examination conducted later could help reveal these injuries, but in practice, this is rarely feasible and often imposes additional psychological trauma on the victim. A further challenge arises when victims seek help too late, by which time injuries may have faded or disappeared entirely, making investigations more difficult due to the lack of physical evidence.
Over the past decades, efforts have been made to overcome these challenges and improve the forensic documentation of injuries. The introduction of Alternative Light Sources (ALS) in forensic medicine and criminal investigations has led to significant advancements. Research has demonstrated that different wavelengths of light are absorbed differently by injuries, particularly bruises. Certain wavelengths, including those beyond the visible spectrum (such as infrared light), can penetrate deeper layers of the skin and reveal underlying injuries. Additionally, specific spectral combinations with appropriate filters enhance the visibility of injuries, making them more distinct and easier to document.
Through extensive testing, optimized combinations of light sources and filters have been identified for the detection of injuries, particularly bruises. The use of ALS has also been extended to detecting biological and non-biological traces. However, forensic examinations of living individuals in cases of domestic and gender-based violence present unique challenges. Unlike post-mortem investigations, live examinations must be conducted swiftly and without causing additional distress to the victim. The dynamic nature of a living person also makes the forensic process more complex.
To improve forensic examinations, it is essential to integrate technologies that allow medical professionals to simultaneously document injuries while conducting routine assessments. The ability to visualize hidden injuries quickly and efficiently is crucial. The traditional method of using separate light sources and filters, manually switching them, and capturing images is time-consuming for the examiner and distressing for the victim. A more integrated solution – one that combines multiple spectral options within a single device -addresses many of these issues. Such equipment must be user-friendly, requiring minimal technical expertise or extensive training, and should deliver immediate, high-quality results.
SuperSpectral is an example of such a solution. Its practical testing has demonstrated excellent results, offering ease of use while enabling medical professionals to perform forensic documentation efficiently. The device incorporates multiple pre-configured spectral combinations and filters tailored for specific applications, such as detecting biological fluids, blood, gunshot residue, hair and fibers, injuries, and bruises. Specialists can manually select the most appropriate setting or use an automated “smart” mode, which sequentially captures images using different spectral settings and filters, optimizing the detection process. The findings are documented in various formats (including RAW files) and systematically organized for each case.
One of the most notable advantages of SuperSpectral is its ability to reveal bruises that are invisible to the naked eye or that extend far beyond the visibly affected area, providing a more comprehensive assessment of the injury’s severity.
This technology can also detect older bruises and residual pigmentation that may have faded to the point of being nearly imperceptible.
Beyond injury detection, SuperSpectral facilitates the identification, collection, and documentation of biological and particulate evidence from both the victim’s body and clothing. When injuries and forensic traces are thoroughly documented and clearly visualized, the judicial process is strengthened, allowing courts to make well-informed, evidence-based decisions. A well-documented forensic report provides an objective foundation for legal proceedings, reducing ambiguity and ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve.
Importantly, victims of violence appreciate the thoroughness of forensic professionals when they see the extent of their injuries identified and documented – often exceeding their expectations. When victims witness the system effectively utilizing this evidence, they gain confidence in the judicial process and trust in law enforcement. This trust is crucial, as it encourages more victims to come forward, seek help, and pursue justice, ultimately strengthening societal confidence in the legal system and fostering a safer environment for all.
Dr Yanko Kolev, MD, PhD