Comments
This is a challenge to your own discretion - and perhaps interview technique! You may choose simply to treat the presenting symptoms, describing your treatment and diagnosis of cause in the record, or you could challenge the prisoner's account with a view to presenting a coherent account in the notes. Remember, the account might be improbable for two reasons - the detainee might exaggerate or fabricate what has happened to attempt to minimise his/her responsibility or cast doubt on acceptability of any confession made; on the other hand, the detainee might be afraid of repercussions if it emerges he has told you about what happened.
Exercise
Would you allow your judgement to be influenced by circumstances such as the personality of the prisoner, the frequency of such occurrences, your view of the prison staff etc.?
The CPT recommends that "All medical examinations of prisoners (whether on arrival or at a later stage) should be conducted out of the hearing and - unless the doctor concerned requests otherwise - out of the sight of prison officers." (CPT/Inf (93) 12, para 51) What do you do if law enforcement personnel refuse to leave you alone with the detainee to carry out the examination (in circumstances where you have no fear for your personal safety)?