This document provides an introduction to forensic medicine, which applies medical and scientific knowledge to legal cases. It discusses how forensic experts can help determine things like the weapon used in a wound or if a death was due to natural causes or was suspicious. The document also covers forensic pathology, medical jurisprudence, inquests, and examples of natural versus unnatural causes of death that may require medical legal investigation.

1. Dr. M. Jilani
MBBS
MSc
MPhil

2. FORENSIC
SCIENCE
Modern forensic science is rapidly
changing.
Practical Approach
Language simple but Scientifically
Accurate
Comprehensive Coverage

3. INTRODUCTION
TO
FORENSIC MEDICINE
Forensic= Court of law

4. FORENSIC MEDICINE
 Application of Medical & Paramedical
Scientific knowledge to help the law
(civil and criminal)
 Forensic Medicine deals with Medical
Aspects of Law

5.  Sudden death
 Un-expected death
 Autopsy to detect Poisoning/Foul play

6.  A person collapse on a busy road due
to heart attack.
 Dead body ran over by a car, who
charged with man slaughter (less than
murder)

7.  Blow to eye
 Person pretends blindness

8.  A woman may complain of Rape
accuses a man

9.  Death caused by poison.

10. A WOUND
 Surgeon:
◦ Clean or infected
◦ How to treat
 Forensic Expert:
◦ Kind of weapon used
◦ Simple or Grievous
◦ Time when inflicted

11. FORENSIC PATHOLOGY
 Pathology: Study of disease.
 Forensic Pathology: A special field of
pathology dealing with Medico-Legal
investigation of death especially:
◦ Sudden Death
◦ Unexplained Death
◦ Suspicious Death
◦ Unnatural Death
◦ Violent Death

12. MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE
Juris=Law
Prudentia= Knowledge
The subject concerned with knowledge of
law in relation to practice of medicine.

13. MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE
Doctor-Patient Relationship
Doctor providing sub standard care
Physical Injury
Mental Injury
Monetary loss
e.g. Wrong diagnosis
Un-necessary surgery
Criminal Abortion

14. MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE
Doctor-Doctor Relationship
 Any Unfair Competition
 Unfair Remark

15. MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE
Doctor-State Relationship
 Doctor does not attend court after
summon
 Doctor does not inform police about
homicidal injuries (gun shot
etc)/poisoning etc or public health
hazards

16. INQUEST
Legal inquiry or investigation into the
cause of Death, which apparently not
due to natural cause.

17. Natural Causes of Death:
Coronary Thrombosis
Pneumonia
Cereberal Stroke

18. Unnatural/Suspicious Deaths:
Sudden Death, the cause of which is
unknown
Suicide, Homicide, Infanticide
Deaths from Accident
◦Poisoning
◦Drug Misuse
Deaths from Machinery Accident
Deaths Under suspicious circumstances e.g.
◦Burns
◦Fall from height etc

19. Unnatural/Suspicious Deaths:
Death under anesthesia or during
operation
Death shortly after operation, form
hemorrhage, shock etc
Deaths from alleged medical negligence
Death within 24 hrs of admission into
hospital

20. Unnatural/Suspicious Deaths:
Deaths under police custody
◦In prison
◦During remand
Death in mental hospital/related
institutes