Legal and Bioethical aspects in the medicolegal investigation of death

Learning Objectives

The course aims to introduce basic principles of criminal law with regards to the forensic expert, their evidence, report and testimony. More specifically students will be introduced to:

• The structure of the legal system and the role of medical professionals, forensic experts and coroners
• The legal and ethical obligations of medical doctors and forensic pathologists
• The good practice in medical certificates and experts report in line with the Code of Medical Ethics and the Criminal Law
• The potential problems and difficulties in exercising duties by coroners and experts
• Potential liabilities

Lectures

1)     Introduction to medical forensics: The role of Forensic Pathologist in penal and civil legal proceedings.

2)     Code of Medical Ethics – Duties of Forensic Pathologists.

3)     Medical certificates: legal aspects and procedures

4)      Medical doctors, Forensic pathologists, and crime investigation.

5)      Expert’s report in criminal procedures.

6)      Problems and difficulties in exercising duties by the Forensic pathologist (e.g. lack of consent from family members, negative reactions, legal actions against Forensic pathologists, etc.).

7)      The Forensic Pathologist as a witness.

8)      Good practice in writing an expert’s report.

9)      Penal Civil and Disciplinary Liability of Forensic Pathologists and other forensic experts.