ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the particular problems in writing medical reports for asylum seekers. Amongst these are the fact that some forms of torture leave no scarring, and most leave scars that are nonspecific. The chapter argues that it is completely normal for accounts of ill-treatment to develop over a period of time, depending on the audience. Nevertheless, it explains that a doctor can be reasonably sure that the individual’s story is likely to be true and be supported by physical findings, even though any individual scar could have a number of causes. It highlights the differing language used by doctors and lawyers in their work.
