Key Takeaways
- TriHealth’s Center for Abuse and Rape Emergency Services now uses the CortexFlo camera system to capture high‑resolution forensic images of injuries during sexual assault and domestic‑violence exams.
- The system’s voice‑activated controls, built‑in contrast enhancement, and specialized lighting allow clinicians to zoom in on subtle trauma—such as strangulation marks—that may be invisible to the naked eye.
- Clear, detailed images strengthen criminal prosecutions by providing jurors with visual evidence that validates survivors’ accounts and improves credibility of testimony.
- A 24‑hour crisis advocate from Women Helping Women is summoned for each survivor, ensuring emotional support while the forensic documentation proceeds.
- Demand for these services has risen sharply: from 24 exams in 2015 to 174 in the most recent year, reflecting both increased reporting and a growing recognition of hidden injuries like strangulation.
- All exams are provided free of charge; TriHealth absorbs the full cost, and the program operates without state or county funding, underscoring the organization’s commitment to accessible survivor care.
Overview of TriHealth’s Enhanced Forensic Response
TriHealth has integrated cutting‑edge imaging technology into its sexual assault and domestic‑violence investigation workflow, aiming to improve both the accuracy of evidence collection and the overall experience of survivors. The initiative centers on the CortexFlo system, a specialized camera platform designed for forensic environments. By adopting this tool, TriHealth seeks to address longstanding challenges in documenting subtle injuries, increase the probative value of evidence presented in court, and reinforce trust between survivors and the medical‑legal system. The program operates within the TriHealth Center for Abuse and Rape Emergency Services, a dedicated unit that coordinates medical care, forensic documentation, and victim advocacy under one roof.
How the CortexFlo System Works
Inside the exam room, nurses operate the CortexFlo system using voice commands, which allows them to keep their hands free for patient care while directing the camera. The device incorporates built‑in contrast software and adjustable lighting that together produce high‑resolution, clinically detailed images of skin, bruising, lacerations, and other trauma. According to Christine Hazard, program coordinator, the contrast feature “gives us better definition to the injury we visualize with the naked eye,” enabling clinicians to crop and enhance specific areas of interest. This capability is especially valuable for injuries that are faint or located in difficult‑to‑see regions, such as the neck in strangulation cases, where external signs may be minimal yet internally significant.
Impact on Legal Proceedings and Survivor Validation
Hazard emphasizes that jurors tend to rely heavily on visual information when assessing testimony. The crisp, contrast‑enhanced photographs generated by CortexFlo provide a tangible, objective record that can corroborate a survivor’s narrative. “I think that it helps for the survivor to be validated in that way,” Hazard notes, explaining that seeing concrete evidence of injury can alleviate doubts a survivor may have about being believed. In court, prosecutors can present these images to demonstrate the nature and extent of abuse, potentially influencing verdicts and sentencing. The visual documentation thus serves a dual purpose: strengthening the prosecution’s case while affirming the survivor’s experience.
Integrated Advocacy Support During Exams
When a survivor arrives at the emergency department, the forensic team automatically triggers a call to Women Helping Women’s 24‑hour crisis hotline. An advocate is dispatched to remain with the survivor throughout the exam, offering emotional support, explaining procedures, and answering questions. Amber Marlatt, vice president of programming for Women Helping Women, stresses that this immediate advocacy counters systemic tendencies where survivors may feel doubted or ignored. By pairing technical precision with compassionate accompaniment, TriHealth ensures that the forensic process is not only thorough but also trauma‑informed, reducing the likelihood of re‑traumatization during evidence collection.
Rising Demand and the Prevalence of Strangulation Injuries
The program has witnessed a dramatic increase in volume: from just 24 forensic exams in 2015 to 174 in the most recent year. This surge reflects both greater community awareness of available services and a willingness among survivors to seek help. Notably, a substantial proportion of these cases involve strangulation—a form of violence that frequently leaves little external bruising but can cause serious internal damage, including vascular injury and neurological impairment. Hazard recounts being able to “demonstrate some injury to their neck that they couldn’t really see,” highlighting how CortexFlo’s enhanced imaging reveals trauma that might otherwise go undocumented, thereby changing the trajectory of both medical treatment and legal accountability.
Funding, Accessibility, and Future Outlook
All forensic exams conducted under this initiative are offered at no cost to survivors; TriHealth assumes full financial responsibility for the program, which does not rely on state or county grants. This self‑funded model underscores the health system’s commitment to removing economic barriers that could deter individuals from seeking care. Officials anticipate that the continued use of CortexFlo will strengthen investigative outcomes, foster greater confidence in the justice process, and encourage more survivors to come forward. As technology evolves, TriHealth plans to refine its protocols, potentially integrating additional modalities such as 3‑D imaging or tele‑forensic consultations to further enhance precision and reach.
In summary, TriHealth’s adoption of the CortexFlo camera system represents a significant advancement in the forensic examination of sexual assault and domestic‑violence survivors. By delivering high‑definition, contrast‑enhanced images, providing immediate advocacy support, and addressing a rising caseload—particularly the elusive injuries of strangulation—the program improves evidentiary quality, validates survivor experiences, and operates without financial barriers to those in need.