Nursing Expert Investigates Whether Sexual Encounter Was Consensual

Case Overview

This case involves a male university student who accused another male student of rape. The rape allegedly occurred at an off-campus house during the university’s Homecoming weekend. The defendant contended that the two had been involved in an ongoing relationship and that the encounter was consensual. After the encounter, the plaintiff went to the hospital and had a rape kit done, during which time, he was photographed. The photos immediately after the encounter indicated severe bruising on the plaintiff’s neck and face. An expert was sought to examine images of the bruises and opine on whether they were a result of rape or if they instead could have been the cause of a consensual sexual encounter.

Questions to the General Surgery expert and their responses

Please describe why you are qualified to serve as an expert reviewer for a sexual assault case.

I have reviewed numerous sexual assault cases for both the defense and prosecution in both criminal and civil matters. I have testified on sexual assault cases to varying degrees about a dozen times, and am very familiar with cases similar to this one. I have 8 years of experience as a forensic nurse examiner where I examined hundreds of sexual assault victims. I hold a Ph.D. from a prestigious research university where I focused my study on the bruises and their appearance/healing.

About the expert

This highly qualified forensic nurse earned a BS in Nursing from Georgetown University, an MS in Nursing with a Forensic Focus from Johns Hopkins University, and a PhD in nursing from Johns Hopkins University. She belongs to the American Nurses Association and the International Association of Forensic Nursing, and has authored more than 8 publications in the space. She currently serves as an assistant professor of nursing at a major DC area university and an independent forensic consultant for sexual assault and intimate partner violence.