Syllabus - Medical Jurisprudence (BM 803(C))

The history and development of medical jurisprudence. Legal terms and definitions, case law. The ethical standards and legal requirements governing medical practice. The medical practitioner as a legal witness. Preparation of statements and medico-legal reports.

Medical aspects of the law Acts dealing with offences against the person; infanticide and child destruction; poisons and drugs; medical practice; National Health Service; the General Medical Council; mental health; road traffic; factories; coroners; registration of births and deaths; cremation procedure; health and safety at work; protection of children and young persons; sexual offences; removal and transplantation of human tissues; crimes of violence; fatal accidents and homicide.

General medico-legal investigation (pathological and clinical). Methods to establish the post-mortem interval. Duties at the scene of crime, preservation of evidence and medico-legal and scientific reports. Relation with and function of, the Coroner and Police in crimes against the person. Methods of identification. Medico-legal aspects of pregnancy and sexually oriented crimes and death. Interpretation of wounds and injuries. Recognition of poisoning and intoxication. The sources of common poisons and the general principles of their pathological action.

Examination & Specimen handling. Examination of persons with particular reference to: consent; the unconscious patient; the intoxicated patient; injured person, negligence; professional secrecy; documentation. The general principles of collection, packaging, transmission and evidential value of medico-legal specimens.

Liasing : Practical considerations in liaising with court officials, advocates, solicitors, police officers, prison officers, forensic scientists, social workers, forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, forensic psychologists and other medical colleagues.