FAQs, frequently asked questions
On this page you will find answers to frequently asked questions about forensic medical examinations.
Some of the questions are intended for relatives of deceased persons whose death is being investigated by forensic medicine. Other questions are intended for people who have experienced violence, for example physical assault, domestic violence or sexual violence.
In urgent situations:
- Immediate danger: Police 117
- Medical emergency: Ambulance 144
- Victim Support: 142, available around the clock
- Mental health crisis or need to talk: Die Dargebotene Hand 143
- Mobile Forensic Nurses Service in cases of sexual or domestic violence without an immediate police report: 0800 09 09 09, available around the clock
If you have experienced sexual or domestic violence and do not wish to report it to the police immediately, you can access a confidential forensic medical examination, injury documentation and evidence collection. Further information is available from the Mobile Forensic Nurses Service: https://www.irm.uzh.ch/en/dienstleistung/fmb/ADFN.html
The information on this page is not a substitute for personal advice. It is intended to help you better understand the next steps.
Questions about deaths
Introduction
If you are visiting this page, you may be facing the death of someone close to you. We would like to express our condolences.
In certain deaths, a forensic medical examination is ordered. This is particularly the case when the manner of death or the circumstances of death are not clearly established. The aim of the examination is to determine the cause and circumstances of death as precisely as possible and, in particular, to clarify whether there are indications of third-party involvement.
The following questions explain the procedure and the main responsibilities.
Why is a forensic post-mortem examination carried out?
Who decides whether a forensic post-mortem examination is carried out?
What happens during a forensic post-mortem examination?
How long does a deceased person remain at the Institute of Forensic Medicine?
When is the body released for burial or cremation?
What is official coffin sealing and when is a corpse transport permit (Leichenpass) required?
Who decides where the body is transferred after the examination?
Is it possible to say goodbye at the Institute of Forensic Medicine?
Where can I find out about the current status of the investigations?
Why can the time of death not always be stated precisely?
Can relatives access forensic examination documents?
Can private individuals commission a forensic post-mortem examination?
Where can relatives obtain support in coping with a death?
Questions about physical assault, domestic violence and sexual violence
Introduction
If you have experienced violence, a medical examination may be important - regardless of whether or not you wish to file a police report. In addition to the treatment of injuries, careful forensic medical documentation of findings may also be useful. Such documentation can later help make what happened understandable and traceable.
In acute danger, please contact the police. In medical emergencies, seek medical help immediately. If you need advice, protection or support, Victim Support can help.
If you do not wish to report the incident to the police immediately but would like a confidential forensic medical examination, injury documentation or evidence collection, the Mobile Forensic Nurses Service may be called in. Further information is available on the page of the Mobile Forensic Nurses Service of the Institute of Forensic Medicine: https://www.irm.uzh.ch/en/dienstleistung/fmb/ADFN.html
What is meant by sexual or sexualised violence?
What does forensic injury documentation mean?
When is injury documentation useful?
What is the difference between medical treatment and forensic medical documentation?
Do I have to file a police report for injuries to be documented?
What is confidential evidence collection?
When is the Mobile Forensic Nurses Service appropriate?
How quickly should an examination take place?
What should I bear in mind before an examination?
What happens during a physical forensic medical examination?
Who is informed about the examination?
What happens to the documented findings and secured traces in confidential evidence collection?
- Why is a forensic post-mortem examination carried out?
- Who decides whether a forensic post-mortem examination is carried out?
- What happens during a forensic post-mortem examination?
- How long does a deceased person remain at the Institute of Forensic Medicine?
- When is the body released for burial or cremation?
- What is official coffin sealing and when is a corpse transport permit (Leichenpass) required?
- Which documents are required for official coffin sealing and the corpse transport permit (Leichenpass)?
- Who decides where the body is transferred after the examination?
- Is it possible to say goodbye at the Institute of Forensic Medicine?
- Where can I find out about the current status of the investigations?
- Why can the time of death not always be stated precisely?
- Can relatives access forensic examination documents?
- Can private individuals commission a forensic post-mortem examination?
- Where can relatives obtain support in coping with a death?
- What is meant by sexual or sexualised violence?
- What does forensic injury documentation mean?
- When is injury documentation useful?
- What is the difference between medical treatment and forensic medical documentation?
- Do I have to file a police report for injuries to be documented?
- What is confidential evidence collection?
- When is the Mobile Forensic Nurses Service appropriate?
- How quickly should an examination take place?
- How quickly should an examination take place?
- What should I bear in mind before an examination?
- What happens during a physical forensic medical examination?
- Who is informed about the examination?
- What happens to the documented findings and secured traces in confidential evidence collection?
- Where can I obtain advice and support?