NEWS

Forensic Medicine

The branch of medical science that uses medical knowledge for legal purposes to enhance the credibility of the evidence.

Objectives

The goal of teaching Forensic Medicine to an undergraduate student is to impart knowledge of legal procedures involved in the medical profession and apply medical science knowledge to execute justice in courts of law. Further, the teaching will help the students to know medical ethics and etiquette to be followed during the practice of medicine.

Course Contents

At the end of the course, the student shall be able to:

Appear in a court of law as Registered Medical Practitioner and give evidence in cases of homicide. Assault, Sexual offenses, Alcoholic intoxication, Drug dependence, and other cases requiring medical opinion. Practice medicine in society following medical ethics and etiquette as prescribed by the Indian Medical Council.

 SYLLABUS

Forensic Medicine – Including Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology

1. IDENTIFICATION

Definition and data to establish identify-Race, religion, sex, age, stature, complexion and features, external peculiarities, anthropometry, dactylography, and poroscopy – superimposition technique – Forensic odontology – Medico – legal importance of age and sex.

2. THANATOLOGY (DEATH)

Types of death-modes of death and their patho-physiology-causes of death, classification and medico-legal aspects of natural death.

3. POST-MORTEM CHANGES:

Signs of death and changes following death and their medico-legal importance- Adipocere, mummification, embalming-Estimation of post-mortem interval (time of death) – Presumption of death and survivorship.

VIOLENT ASPHYXIAL DEATHS

Classification-Hanging, Strangulation by ligature Throtting, Smothering, Gagging, Overlaying, Brukin, Choking, Drowning, and sexual asphyxia.

4. DEATH DUE TO COLD, HEAT, ELECTRICITY AND RADIATION

5. ANAESTHETIC AND OPERATIVE DEATHS

6. MECHANICAL INJURIES (WOUND)

    • Classification and mechanism of wound production Abrasions, Contusions, Incised wounds, Chop wounds, stab wounds and Lacerated wounds and their medico-legal Importance. Firearm classification and cartridges.
    • Firearm wounds by different firearms and their medico-legal importance -Bomb explosion wounds.
    • Regional injuries on the body and medico-legal importance.
    • Medico-legal aspects of wounds – Issue of medico-legal certificates for legal purposes.
    • Homicide & types of homicide
    • Simple and Grievous injuries -causes of death from wound

7. IMPOTENCE AND STERILITY

  • Definition, causes, and medico-legal importance.
  • Sterilization and Artificial insemination and their medico-legal importance
  1. VIRGINITY, PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY

Definition, diagnosis and medico-legal importance Pseudocyesis, Superfecundation, Superfaelation Legitimacy and Paternity and their medico-legal importance.

  1. SEXUAL OFFENCES
  • Classification – Rape – definition, examination of the victim and the accused -Incest, Unnatural sexual offenses, types and their medico-legal importance. Sexual Perversion – types and their medico-legal importance – Indecent assault.
  • Examination of seminal fluid
  1. ABORTION
  • Definition, classification, methods of procuring abortion, diagnosis and evidence of an abortion, and medico-legal questions arising in suspected cases of abortion. Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.
  1. INFANTICIDE
  • Definition, still births, dead birth and live birth signs of live birth and autopsy in a suspected case of infanticide.
  • Causes of death and medico-legal importance. Abandoning of infants, concealment of birth, Battered baby syndrome, Cot death.
  1.   EXAMINATION OF BLOOD STAINS AND HAIR AND SUSPECTED BIOLOGICAL AND FIBRES STAINS.
  2. ORGANISATION OF FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY
  • Locard’s Principle; Lie detection, Narcoanalysis, Hypnosis
  1. FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY
  • Delusion, Hallucination, Illusion, Impulse, Obsession, Delirium, Lucid interval Classification of unsoundness of mind and medico-legal aspects. Restraint o the insane.
  1. MEDICO-LEGAL AUTOPSY
  • Protocol, Technique, Postmortem report Examination of a set of bones Exhumation
  1. TOXICOLOGY
  • General consideration – Law on poisons, classification of poisons. Diagnosis of poisoning in the live and dead. Duties of the medical practitioner in a suspected case of poisoning. General principles of treatment of poisoning.
  • Corrosive poisons, Non-metallic poisons, Insecticides and weed killers, Metallic poisons, Organic irritant poisons, Somniferous poisons, Inebriants, Deliriants,
  • Spinal poisons, food poisoning, cardiac poisons, Aspyxiants, war gases Curare, Conium. Drug dependence and Addiction.
  1. MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE
  • Legal Procedure – Inquests, subpoenas, Conduct money, Procedure of Criminal Trial, Record of evidence, types of evidence, Medical evidence, types of witnesses.
  1. MEDICAL LAW AND ETHICS
  • Laws governing the medical profession :
  • Indian Medical Council and State Medical Council organizations, functions, and powers – Rights and privileges of Registered Medical Practitioner, Infamous Conduct. Professional negligence (Malpractice)

DUTIES OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS :

  • The doctrine of Reipsa Loquitor, Contributory negligence, vicarious responsibility consent, Euthanasia.

Skills

To conduct an autopsy on medico-legal cases and issue postmortem certificates. To examine cases of wounds ( Assault, Homicide etc.,) at the hospital and issue the required medico-legal certificate (wound certificate)

To treat cases of poisoning and issue certificates to court and police.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Structured interactive sessions, Small group discussions, Practical including demonstrations, Problem based exercises, Video clips, Written case scenarios, Self-learning tools, Interactive learning and e-modules.