Course Introduction

MODULE 1 - FORENSIC MEDICINE AND COURT PROCEDURE

This module provides insights about applying medical techniques within legal contexts, the importance of medical certification, the preparation of medical reports, the significance of medical reports as evidence in legal cases, and the significance of dying declarations in legal proceedings.

This module equips you with knowledge about the intersection of medical practices with a legal framework, helping you effectively use medical techniques in criminal investigations.

MODULE 2 - THANATOLOGY

This module introduces you to thanatology, where you explore the meaning and various modes of death, the significance and moments surrounding death, and your understanding of the physiological and psychological aspects of the dying process.

You will also learn about the immediate, early, and late changes that occur after an individual's demise, gaining insights into the post-mortem processes and techniques to accurately calculate the time since death and their application in forensic contexts.

MODULE 3 - PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

This module highlights the significance of personal identification in forensic contexts, including minute details such as scars, moles, and tattoos, which play a crucial role in establishing the identity of unclaimed or unknown bodies.

The module further explores the process of identifying individuals through personal items like rosary beads, sacred threads, and mangalsutras. This module will make you proficient in identifying individuals using diverse methods for forensic examinations involving unknown or unclaimed bodies.

MODULE 4 - INJURIES (WOUNDS)

In this module, you will learn about different types of injuries and their classification, injuries caused by various forms of radiation, injuries resulting from firearms and explosions, the distinctive characteristics and forensic implications of injuries caused by different mechanisms, fabricated and non-fabricated injuries, and the complexities involved in injury classification.

MODULE 5 - FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY

This module explores the role of toxicology in forensic investigations, the general aspects of poisoning, diverse types of toxins and their effects on the human body, the clinical features associated with poisoning, autopsy appearances resulting from exposure to various poisons, procedures for the dispatch and preservation of viscera, and medico-legal significance in toxicological analysis.

MODULE 6 - MEDICAL ETHICS

In this module, you will gain an understanding of the significance and distinctions between various legal documents, including medical certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, and dying declarations.

The module lays emphasis on the specific purpose and legal implications of each document, such as how medical certificates serve as official records of an individual's health status, birth certificates as legal records of birth events, and death certificates as vital documents detailing the cause and circumstances of death.

MODULE 7 - EXAMINATION IN MEDICO LEGAL PRACTICE

This module will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to serve as an expert witness during legal proceedings. You will learn about the examination procedure of victims, accused, and injured patients in sexual offence cases, the challenges involved in dealing with people of sexual assault within medical and legal contexts, and the ethical and medico-legal challenges that toxicologists may encounter in their practices.