Diploma in the Forensic and Clinical Aspects of Sexual Assault (DFCASA)
Established 2009
Home Office Research in 2004 revealed that fewer than 6% of reported rape cases resulted in conviction. The reasons were complex, but the health and social impact on a victim’s life is profound and victims need to have their psychological, forensic and social needs addressed together. The initial management of the victim is fundamental to their recovery.
Until now doctors and nurses may not have had the benefit of uniformly good training and experience. Therefore, the purpose of this Diploma is to ensure that those who hold it understand how to deliver good quality care having been tested through a credible evaluation and assessment process. These assessments will be done by using PMETB criteria. It is intended that by 2015 the qualification will become a condition of employment for those clinicians appointed to substantive posts or undertaking sexual offences examinations.
The DFCASA examination will be a test of knowledge and skills in forensic and legal medicine appropriate for these specialised practitioners. It is set at a level that the Examinations Board of the Society of Apothecaries considers a good basic standard for the care of victims of sexual assault. The DFCASA encompasses knowledge relating to the needs of adults and children but there are separate Adult DFCASA (a) and Child DFCASA(c) qualifications for those who work is limited to those areas.
The Examinations are open to registered medical practitioners and registered nurses who have had experience of care of complainants of sexual assault.
The Revised National Service Guide: A Resource for Developing Sexual Assault Referral Centres, which describes the minimum service elements for victims of sexual assault, affirms the Diploma examination as a route to the basic qualifications required of forensic physicians undertaking sexual offences work.
The closing date is the final date that a completed application can be considered for entry to a part of the examination but as entry numbers for the Part II OSCE are limited it is not possible to guarantee that places will still be available at the closing date.
Enquiries should be addressed to the Diploma Assistant, DFCASA: diploma@apothecaries.org
Examination documentation
Guide to the Diploma in the Forensic and Clinical Aspects of Sexual Assault (DFCASA)
(incorporating the Regulations and Syllabus)
Administrative Guidance to Candidates
Curriculum
Compendium of Validated Evidence (COVE)
Application forms
Case portfolio:
Application Form (Not
currently available)
First time entry to Part II:
Form B
Re-entry to Part I: Form R/1 (Not currently available) Re-entry to Part II:
Form R/2 (Not currently available)
Request for special examination arrangements: Form Q
Examination Review and Appeal Procedure
The Society's Review and Appeal Procedure gives information about feedback, review
and appeal. Candidates who seek a review or appeal should note that there is a
fee payable, the amount of which is given the the relevant Guide to the Diploma,
including the Regulations and Syllabus.
Examination Review and Appeal Procedure
Useful links
BASHH: Stif course
RCPCH
FFLM
RCOG
FSRH
BASHH
The Committee of Management
Professor Trevor Beedham, MB BS (Hons), BDS, FRCOG – Chair
Ms Jane Bickford, MSc, RGN
Dr Maureen Dalton, FRCOG, FFFLM, FFSRH
Dr Victoria Evans, MB BS, LLM, MRCGP, DMJ, FFFLM
Dr Greta Forster, FRCOG, FRCP, FFFLM, FFSRH, DipVen
Dr John Patterson, BSc, PhD
Dr Angela Robinson, MB BS, FRCP
Dr Jan Welch, MBE, BSc, FRCP, FFFLM
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