Examination findings in legally confirmed child sexual abuse: it's normal to be normal.

This paper (Adams et al, Pediatrics. 1994;94:310-317) causes us great concern and if not challenged will be quoted by every advocate the world over to dismiss the validity of physical signs seen in association with child sexual abuse (CSA) at a time when experienced researchers are making sense of a difficult clinical area. The legal data on the cases is incomplete, and any possible correlation between the physical signs and the crime committed was irrelevant because of plea bargaining but also poor clinical date.