What police officers know about the risks posed by intimate partner violence-related strangulation and the need for medical-forensic exams

Intimate partner violence (IPV)-strangulation is a significant risk factor for lethality, brain injury, stroke, and mental health issues. As first responders, police officers are well positioned to offer life-saving interventions by identifying strangulation and making referrals to healthcare. However, strangulation training is uncommon, and many strangulation incidents are undetected by police. The current study explored what police officers (n = 71) in British Columbia understand about the risks of IPV-strangulation and when they would refer a victim-survivor for a medical-forensic exam. While officers understood strangulation as a high-risk factor, training is needed to enhance understanding of the importance of medical-forensic exams.