Post-mortem medical examination is considered one of the most famous and common procedures in certain circles. Cases when such a study is carried out are described in various fiction (most often in detective stories). In life, a posthumous forensic medical examination is used in criminal practice. It’s hard to say which sources contain the most interesting cases. Everywhere there are situations that relate to various areas of expert work. However, practice clearly shows that specialists who work in this field remain in constant demand.
Terminology
Forensic examination of a corpse is a scientific and practical study. It is carried out in the manner prescribed by law. In the framework of a criminal case, a decision on forensic medical examination is adopted by a judge, interrogating officer , prosecutor or other official with the appropriate powers. The duration of the study depends on the object, purpose, amount of material and other circumstances. However, by law, the procedure should not take more than a month. The term is calculated from the moment specialists receive all the materials.
System structure
The institutions in which the study is carried out are not subordinate to law enforcement agencies, but directly to health authorities. The bureau acts as a structural unit. They can be regional, city, republican. A regional forensic examination, for example, is carried out, when it is necessary to confirm any conclusions made at the city bureau, or for other purposes. The bureau, in turn, can have several divisions. For example, it can be a specialized department of corpses, a laboratory, a department for victims and other persons.
Conclusion (sample)
A forensic medical examination is carried out to establish the circumstances of the incident, the physical, mental state of a person before and after the event, the age of the citizen and others. Conclusions made by a specialist during the study should be drawn up accordingly. In conclusion, there is an introduction. It sets out those questions that are put before the expert in an unchanged form (as they are indicated in the accompanying documents). The introductory part provides information necessary for conducting research and formulating conclusions. For example, they include investigative data, complaints, surveys, the contents of medical records, and so on. Next is the research part. It acts as an objective basis for the formulation and substantiation of conclusions. The research part contains a consistent description of the study of the corpse and all the evidence that was revealed during it. The sequence in which the statement of facts is carried out is determined by the expert independently, taking into account the particularities of the case. However, the specialist should not go beyond the established rules. In particular, it is not permitted to replace the diagnosis with a detailed description of the damage. The expert’s conclusions are motivated and scientifically based answers to the questions posed to him. The specialist may indicate in this part of the report circumstances that, in his opinion, are relevant to the investigation of the case, but were not requested for clarification or examination. Those issues that are beyond the scope of competence, the expert ignores, making appropriate notes about it. The report is transmitted to authorized officials.
Forensic issues
Why research? A forensic examination of a corpse is carried out to identify features of a person’s condition before death. In particular, experts identify what diseases a citizen suffered, establish a mechanism for receiving damage, injuries, wounds, fractures received by the subject. In general, we can say that the forensic examination of death is a study of the physical condition of the body - bones, tissues, organs, muscles.
Specialization
It should be noted that the forensic examination of death is carried out not only in the framework of the criminal cases under investigation. The study, if necessary, can order any interested person. Experts carry out studies in different directions. The main task in a criminal case is to clarify the circumstances of death. In particular, the cause and time of death are determined. Based on the study of the scene, the approximate development of events preceding death is determined. In the event that it was a murder, an initial examination of the corpse allows us to characterize the weapon with which it was committed.
Psychological research
This is one of the activities of specialists. The psychological post-mortem forensic medical examination, unlike other procedures, is not directly related to the human body. To clarify the characteristics of the psychological state of the deceased, a study of documents, papers, various information relating to the behavior of a citizen during life is carried out. In some cases, the procedure is quite simple and does not take a long time. The duration of the study depends on its objectives and the amount of material provided. The more information is provided, the more accurate the expert’s opinion will be. Modern experts know how to conduct a posthumous forensic examination based on a study of third-party sources. In many cases, using a competent approach and advanced methods, specialists establish with high certainty the psychological state of a person before and during the incident. During the procedure, photographs, videos, phonograms of speeches, letters and other papers are studied.
Quality assurance
A posthumous forensic examination requires a modern approach. Today, experts use both pre-existing and modern methods. For a more thorough study of tissues, body fragments, the latest equipment is used. Often, a specialist has a very limited amount of material. For example, after a fire in which a person died, it is quite difficult to find out the circumstances of the incident from the remains, to make a clear picture of the event. However, if you use advanced tools, tools, technical equipment, then this task becomes feasible. Equally important is the experience of the specialists themselves, the volume of their knowledge. In some cases, in difficult situations, when the investigation is complicated by any specific circumstances, employees of narrow-profile institutions specializing in one or another direction may also be involved. Their participation provides a comprehensive review of the circumstances and materials of the case.
Finally
Forensic medical examination is a specific procedure. It requires special knowledge. In their work, specialists follow the requirements established by law. Compliance with the requirements, the use of modern methods and advanced technologies provide high reliability and quality of research.