• Main Authors: Kenan Karbeyaz, Mehmet Toygar, Adnan Çelikel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2016-12-01
• Series: Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
• Subjects: Incest; Pregnancy; Turkey
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090536X16300661

Incest can be traditionally described as sexual intercourse between family members. Determination of incest cases is quite difficult due to the inability of applying contemporary interview techniques with the child and the resistance of the family members to collaborate with physicians due to the nature of the event. In such cases, diagnostic physical findings are not often observed and criminal investigations to reach a conclusion become harder. Many cases of incest can be recognized when pregnancy occurs. In the present case, an incestuous relationship between a male and female sibling younger than 15 years resulting in pregnancy has been examined. Fragmented family, lack of education, and socio-cultural characteristics have been considered as contributing factors. The location of the case has low socioeconomic status. Education about puberty and sexuality of children in such places can be problematic. Adding fragmented families into the equation makes this more dramatic as it can be observed in our case. In these cases it is important that physicians, other healthcare professionals and teachers should be alert and be ready to take appropriate measures in their area. In addition, the introduction of a state policy of education about sexuality is extremely effective in the prevention of such events.