Nota Bene: The collection and analysis of forensic information requires sophisticated equipment to be effective. The scientific methods required to analyze forensic information furthermore require technical skill, expertise and experience. Collection of such information should therefore be done by those with the required technical skill, expertise and experience, if at any way possible. These professionals will know how to handle a piece of forensic information in order to maintain its potential evidentiary value. Unofficial investigators are therefore advised to stay away and not to touch potential forensic information, and to refer the situation to official investigators as soon as possible. Only as a matter of last resort, and only if an immediate threat exists that the forensic information might be lost or irremediably damaged may an unofficial investigator proceed, but only by following the guidelines here provided and being aware that they may well decrease the evidentiary value of the information by their under-skilled interaction with it. 3.3.1 Documenting Physical Injury Documenting physical injury is a delicate matter. Examining a victim should be done by a doctor at all times. It is unethical for a lay-person to do any kind of medical examination. If a doctor examines a victim, s/he also has to make clear in what capacity the examination is done: as a doctor (which means that doctor-patient confidentiality applies and the information cannot be shared) or as a forensic examiner (for the purpose of collecting information that may be used in further investigations and court). Since unofficial investigators are neither, they cannot act in any way that may suggest that they are either a doctor or a forensic examiner. In absence of an official doctor or investigator to conduct a medical examination, unofficial investigators should limit their interaction with the victim to making observations about any visible injuries by simply looking at the victim. Actions That Unofficial Investigators May Take Try to find a medical doctor who can do an examination. If no doctor is available to do an assessment: 1. Obtain informed consent: explain and ask permission for everything you do (see Section 2.1.2 on Informed Consent). 2. Make clear to the victim that you are not a medical doctor. 3. Provide any immediate medical assistance that is required. 4. Only if allowed by the victim, record visual information of external physical injury only. Take pictures only of what is considered 83