Authors

  1. Ernst, E. J. DNP, MBA, MS, APRN, FNP-BC, CEN
  2. Speck, P. M. DNSc, APN, FNP-BC, DF-IAFN, FAAFS, FAAN
  3. Fitzpatrick, J. J. PhD, RN, FAAN

Abstract

Digital photography is a valuable adjunct to document physical injuries after sexual assault. In order for a digital photograph to have high image quality, there must exist a high level of naturalness. Digital photo documentation has varying degrees of naturalness; however, for a photograph to be natural, specific technical elements for the viewer must be satisfied. No tool was available to rate the naturalness of digital photo documentation of female genital injuries after sexual assault. The Photo Documentation Image Quality Scoring System (PDIQSS) tool was developed to rate technical elements for naturalness. Using this tool, experts evaluated randomly selected digital photographs of female genital injuries captured following sexual assault. Naturalness of female genital injuries following sexual assault was demonstrated when measured in all dimensions.