Call the Midwife: Midwives as Forensic Examiners in the 18th-Century Russian Empire

• In Event: Looking for Women’s Voices in Masculine Spaces: Women’s Experiences of Philosophy, Law, and Religion in Modern Russia

Abstract

As the 1774 ordinance issued by the Senate explained: “In cases where there is sufficient evidence present, there is no need to extract a confession from the accused to confirm his guilt.” This effectively made evidence, including the one coming from forensic examination, an important element of trial and sentencing. The paper examines the role of forensic examination of victims of sexual violence needed for successful prosecution and conviction in the 18th-Century Russian Empire. Traditionally, physical evidence in the form of wounds and injuries assessment was collected by “knowledgeable people” (sveduiuschie ludi) who examined injuries and decided whether or not they were self-inflicted. In cases of sexual assault, midwives were called to assess injuries and decide if those were consistent with the victim’s claims. In the situation of lack of medical professionals who were trained in then very few medial establishments, midwives served as forensic examiners who were not just providing a physical examination of the woman’s body but collecting forensic evidence (such as torn cloths, blood, other liquids, assessing injuries etc.). Who were those women? Where did they come from? How the courts treated them as expert witnesses? Was their testimony considered to be to the advantage or disadvantage of the victim?

Author

• Marianna Georgievna Muravyeva, U of Helsinki (Finland)