Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine (JIAFM)

59
JIAFM, 2007 29 (2) ISSN: 0971-0973
Current Scenario of Forensic Medicine in India
*Dr. Shilekh Mittal, M.D., D.N.B., **Dr. Mukesh Yadav, M.D., LL.B., *Dr. Harnam Singh, M.D., D.N.B.,
*Dr. Gaurav Sharma, M.D., *Dr. Rahul Chawla, M.D.
*Assistant Professor
Forensic Medicine, M.M. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Mullana, Ambala.
**Professor & Head, Forensic Medicine, Muzafarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar, U.P.
Corresponding Author:
Dr. Shilekh Mittal,
Assistant Professor. Forensic Medicine,
MM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala.
E. Mail shilekh@rediffmail.com
Abstract
The subject of Forensic Medicine provides solutions to some of the most urgent concerns in our society, and
focuses on the areas in which medicine and human behaviour interface with the law and acts as a clinical
investigator providing a vital liaison between the investigative process and court of law. Till date, no importance
has been given for the upliftment of this subject. At many places, the department remains on the most dirtiest and
neglected part of the college. In this paper, some problems are highlighted and suggestions have been given for
saving the future of this important subject in our country.
Key Word: Forensic Medicine, Court of Law, Medical Council of India, Mortuary Complex.
Introduction:
Rapid modernization and exponential sophistication
have taken place over the last century in the field of
medical sciences. The concept of health of the
population from "womb to tomb" in the community
health care clearly indicates that in a health care set
up, a doctor's duty is not only caring for the living but
also to dead. [1] As medicolegal work is the
backbone of emergency in hospital and trauma care
centers, it is neglected in all spheres (teaching and
practicing stage). Without proper medicolegal work,
justice to the victim is misguided and where there is
possibility of the justice is misguided, its better that
the justice is denied.
Since the inception of Forensic medicine subject in
medical colleges in the early 1980’s, the
deterioration has been going on till date. In
comparison with Medicine and Surgery, Forensic
Medicine being the young subject, it has been given
a step motherly treatment regarding its development
and promotion despite being one of the most
important bridges between Medicine and Law.
In early days, Civil Surgeons and Pathologists
except at few places usually taught the subject.
There was no readily available specialist of the
subject at that time and also no separate department
existed in majority of the colleges in India. The
departments were made hurriedly without taking into
consideration about proper infrastructure, staff and
equipments.
In majority of the Medical Colleges, the department
of Forensic Medicine has no proper rooms for staff
and basic necessities. Some of the departments in
various medical colleges have become as if a
historical monument, which have no caretaker and
present a deserted look.
Presently mortuaries dispel the atmosphere of
dislike, fear and hatred prevailing in majority of the
so-called postmortem buildings in major part of the
country. The mortuaries have long been neglected
and are generally located in a far-off isolated corner
of the hospital with primitive facilities for body
preservation and autopsy. [1] Facilities for autopsy
like dissection table, instruments, water supply,
lighting and sterilization facilities are lacking at many
places and if present, are in worst and rusted
condition, in spite of the guidelines of Medical
Council of India and judiciary. [2]
The most horrendous step that was taken by the
father of medical education, the MCI, was by
decreasing its marks and teaching hours, which led
to further deterioration. The subject is being treated
as minnow by the M.B.B.S. Students.
The prescribed staff by MCI is not present in
Government Medical Colleges and if any vacant
posts are there, the Central and State Governments
are least concerned for the recruitment of posts. Due
to the shortage of faculty and various other elements
required as per the norms, the departments are still
not recognized by the MCI [3] and even at certain
places by the State Governments, which has led to
the deterioration of the level of undergraduate and
postgraduate education. The Postgraduate degrees
awarded by the majority of the Government
institutions till date is not recognized, resulting in
disinterest among the undergraduates to pursue
Forensic Medicine as a career in the future. And
among those unfortunates ones, who took it as a
career are left for nowhere, because of the