Sexually transmitted infections of sexual crime suspects.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among individuals suspected of rape in the Helsinki metropolitan area, focusing on the immediate aftermath of the alleged incidents.

METHODS

A retrospective observational analysis was conducted using data from 472 forensic examinations performed at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) between 2020 and 2024. Biological samples were tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The mean interval between the alleged incident and sample collection was calculated to assess the temporal relationship.

RESULTS

Of the 456 individuals tested, 108 (23.68 %) exhibited STI-related findings, with 54 (11.84 %) deemed probably contagious. Prevalence rates were 6.92 % for chlamydia, 1.11 % for gonorrhea, 2.64 % for contagious hepatitis B, and 2.57 % for active hepatitis C. HIV was detected in 1.10 % of individuals, with none deemed contagious. Fewer than 5 syphilis cases were deemed to be contagious. The mean interval between the alleged incident and sample collection was 1.04 days.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an examination of STI prevalence among suspects of rape, offering insights into transmission risks immediately following alleged incidents. The findings underscore the importance of routine STI screening in forensic examinations and highlight the potential for such data to inform public health interventions and forensic practices.