Course Introduction

FCC 10 : Forensic Medicine and Human Identification

  • Course Outline
  • Curriculum
  • FAQ
  • Case Studies
  • Reviews

Course Start Date        : 3rd Oct 2025

Last Date to Register  : 25th Sept 2025

Forensic medicine and human identification involve identifying people who might get disfigured due to trauma like crashes, explosions, fires, etc., criminals trying to hide their identities, undocumented people, skeletal remains, etc. The online Forensic Medicine & Human Identification Foundation Certificate Course by Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science (SIFS India) will equip you with the art and science of forensic medicine, where the human body becomes a vital piece of evidence in solving complex cases.

This course is of one month duration, taught by expert forensic instructors, and includes theoretical sessions with lots of practical exercises and quizzes. You will learn about post-mortem examinations, precautions during autopsy, Sexual offenses, Victim and offender examination, child abuse, the POCSO Act, estimation of time since death, custodial deaths, types of deaths, infanticide, types of burn injuries, medical negligence, 3D forensic facial reconstruction, assessing toxicological findings, and legal aspects, among several others.

This course can open doors for you to pursue further studies or a career in forensic pathology, law enforcement, or related fields. You will gain knowledge to unlock the secrets of the human body and assist in solving complex cases. Join us to discover the dynamic world of forensic medicine and human identification, and get ready to contribute to criminal investigations.


Become Proficient to Answer:

- What is the significance of inquest and exhumation in forensic medicine, and what precautions and procedures must be taken while conducting a medico-legal autopsy?

- How does the classification of sexual offenses relate to medico-legal examinations, particularly in cases of rape and in cases of unnatural sexual offenses?

- What are the somatic, molecular, and brain deaths, and what are their medico-legal aspects?

- How are the mode, manner, mechanism, and cause of death determined?

- What are the medico-legal considerations associated with surgery, anesthesia, blood transfusion, and custody-related torture and deaths?

- What are thermal deaths and systemic hyperthermia, and what are medico-legal aspects of death due to burns based on classifications of burns?

- What are the legal provisions related to dowry deaths?

- How are deaths by electrocution investigated, and what are the autopsy findings in cases involving'medium-tension' and 'high-tension' currents, as well as joule burns and injuries caused by lightning?

- How are infanticide and foeticide examined from a medico-legal perspective?

- What is the concept of live birth and separate existence, and what is the significance of the hydrostatic test in these cases?

- What are the key medico-legal considerations in injuries, including differentiation between antemortem and postmortem wounds?

- How are injuries caused by blunt force, abrasion, and bruises examined forensically, and what factors influence the production of bruises?

- What are the characteristics of injuries caused by sharps and firearms, and how do they differ from other injuries?

- How is medical negligence defined and proven in cases of mistaken diagnosis or errors of clinical judgment?

- What are the types of consent in medical treatment, and what role do hospitals play in ensuring proper consent?

- How do you determine a complete and incomplete identity, estimate age from the ossification activity of bones, and what is the importance of dentition in the medico-legal field? 


Learning Outcomes:

Forensic Pathology Knowledge: You will acquire skills to understand how post-mortem examinations are performed, the cause of death, and documenting forensic evidence accurately.

Death Analysis Skills: You will acquire knowledge about different types of deaths, medicolegal aspects associated with deaths, and investigative procedures involved.

Human Identification Techniques: You will be able to identify human remains using various forensic techniques, like skeletal analysis, dental records, and DNA profiling, to assist in solving missing persons cases.

Legal and Ethical Considerations: You will develop an in-depth understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with forensic medicine and human identification to maintain professional investigative practice.

Technology Proficient: You will gain working knowledge of 3D technology to determine physical appearance and forensic facial reconstruction techniques.


Course Details:

Fee

National: 1770 INR (1500 INR + 18% GST)

International: 50 USD 

Duration

1 Month

Eligibility

12th Passed

Session Timing

From 6 to 7 PM IST  | Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Payment Details:

International Student : PayPal: forensicdocument@gmail.com

Account Details for National Student

Bank Name  - ICICI BANK
Acc. Name    - SIFS INDIA PVT. LTD.
Account No. - 663505500086
Type         - Current
IFSC Code    -   ICIC0000160
Address         - ICICI Bank, H-4, Model Town -III, New Delhi - 110009



  • Curriculum


    MODULE 1 – FORENSIC MEDICINE AND INDIAN LEGAL SYSTEM

    In this module, you will gain an overview of forensic medicine and how it integrates with the Indian legal system, inquest procedures and exhumation processes, and the steps and precautions involved in medicolegal autopsies. You will also gain relevant knowledge about how to conduct autopsies in diverse forensic scenarios, like obscure death cases, anaphylactic fatalities, and artifact-related deaths.

    MODULE 2 – MEDICOLEGAL EXAMINATION IN SEXUAL OFFENCES

    This module focuses on the medicolegal examination of both victims and offenders involved in sexual offenses, the classification of sexual offenses, the offense of rape, and the crucial implications of consent or non-consent. You will also learn how to provide expert opinions in such cases and will also explore child abuse, the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act), and its relevant amendments.

    MODULE 3 – DEATH AND ITS MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS

    In this module, you will learn about forensic thanatology, along with different types of death, like somatic, molecular, and brain death, and their medicolegal implications. This module also covers mode, manner, mechanism, cause of death, and ways to estimate the time since death by examining the immediate, early, and late changes that occur after death. A basic understanding of death-related medicolegal issues, like postmortem staining and bruising, hypostasis and congestion, rigor mortis, and cadaveric spasm, is also provided.

    MODULE 4 – DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH SURGERY, ANAESTHESIA, CUSTODY, AND ASPHYXIA

    This module focuses on the types of deaths that occur in specific contexts, like surgery, including the risks associated with surgical procedures. You will also learn about anesthesia- and blood transfusion-related deaths, custodial deaths, and asphyxial deaths and their different types. You will gain knowledge about the role forensic medicine plays in investigating these cases and the legal aspects associated with them.

    MODULE 5 – THERMAL DEATHS, BURNS, AND HYPOTHERMIA

    In this module, you will learn about deaths due to extreme temperatures, i.e., thermal deaths, which include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. This module also focuses on the classification of burns and the Rule of Nine, which is a tool to assess burn severity, along with the medicolegal considerations in these cases, especially dowry deaths. You will gain knowledge about hypothermia, the pathophysiology of this condition, and autopsy findings associated with deaths due to extreme cold.

    MODULE 6 – ELECTROCUTION AND LIGHTNING-RELATED DEATHS

    This module explores deaths caused by electrocution and autopsy findings associated with both 'medium-tension' and 'high-tension' electrical currents. You will learn about the joule burn concept, also known as endogenous burn. This module also covers electrocution circumstances, like iatrogenic (medical procedure-related) and judicial (execution) electrocutions. Also, you will gain insights about lighting strike-related injuries and deaths.

    MODULE 7 – INFANTICIDE AND FOETICIDE

    In this module, you will gain knowledge about infanticide and foeticide, related laws, and the legal aspects surrounding these crimes. You will explore the concepts of live birth and separate existence and their interpretation in a medicolegal context. This module also covers details about the hydrostatic test and its importance in determining live birth and determining evidence in infanticide and foeticide cases.

    MODULE 8 – INJURIES - MEDICOLEGAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TYPES

    This module focuses on injuries from a medicolegal perspective and the difference between antemortem and postmortem wounds, crucial for forensic investigations. It also covers the major sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) relating to offenses against the human body and provides an in-depth understanding of the legal aspects surrounding injuries and their implications in forensic medicine.

    MODULE 9 – INJURIES BY BLUNT FORCE, ABRASION, SHARP FORCE, AND FIREARMS

    In this module, you gain insights about types of injuries and their causes, like blunt force, abrasion, sharp force, and firearms. This module also focuses on characteristics and factors that result in the creation of abrasions, bruises (contusions), and incised wounds like bevelled cuts and hesitation cuts, along with an overview of firearm-related injuries.

    MODULE 10 – INJURIES BY EXPLOSIVES, REGIONAL INJURIES, AND TRANSPORTATION INJURIES

    This module explores injuries caused by explosives, regional injuries, injuries of the scalp, fractures of the skull, and the procedures for producing cerebral injuries, as well as the medicolegal considerations related to coup and contrecoup injuries. You will also gain knowledge about transportation accident-related injuries and knowledge of these aspects from a forensic medicine perspective.

    MODULE 11 – MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE AND LEGAL ASPECTS

    In this module, you will learn about medical negligence, like cases of mistaken diagnosis and errors in clinical judgment. This module also highlights various aspects of negligence, like contributory negligence, vicarious liability, medical product liability, and the criminalization of negligence, along with the legal framework in India, i.e., the Consumer Protection Act, which relates to medical negligence for both healthcare professionals and patients.

    MODULE 12 – CONSENT TO AND REFUSAL OF TREATMENT, INCLUDING EUTHANASIA

    This module explores how to obtain consent for medical treatment, the scope of consent, and the role of hospitals in this process. You will also learn about the decision-making concept for patients along with legal provisions such as Sections 53, 53A, and 164A of the CrPC concerning consent. This module further explores topics like doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia and the ethical, legal, and medical dimensions surrounding these issues.

    MODULE 13 – IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES IN MEDICOLEGAL CASES

    In this module, you will gain insights about identification methods in medicolegal cases, like assessment of complete and incomplete identities, dentition significance, and age determination through bone ossification activity. This module also covers dactylography (fingerprint analysis), the application of 3D technology for physical fit determination, and forensic facial reconstruction, highlighting the role of emerging techniques used in forensic identification.

  • What steps should I follow to enroll for this foundation certificate course?

    To enroll, click on the “Register for Course” option available on the right side of the screen, followed by the provided instructions and payment procedure.

  • Who is eligible to enroll in this foundation certificate course?

    12th (of any stream) pass or any graduate student can enroll in the foundation certificate course.

  • How will I receive confirmation once I have completed the payment procedure?

    Admission Confirmation email will be sent to your registered email ID once the payment is verified.

  • Are there any prerequisites for this foundation certificate course?

    In case of any prerequisites provided by the resource person, we will provide the students with prior information on their WhatsApp group.

  • Are there any live lectures provided in this foundation certificate course?

    Yes, live lectures will be conducted through Zoom.

  • How will I receive the session joining link?

    Enrolled students will receive the session joining link via WhatsApp group.

  • What will be the duration of the lecture?

    The duration of each lecture will be 1 hour and 15 minutes of discussion.

  • Will I get the recorded lectures?

    Yes, recorded lectures will be provided through your portal.

  • Can the study materials be accessed at any time?

    All the course material will be available on the portal. Hence, you can access it 24/7 and study at your own pace.

  • What are the benefits of completing this foundation certificate course?

    Completing the Online Foundation Certificate Course will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills required for entry-level positions. It can also serve as a strong foundation for further education or career advancement in forensic science.

  • Is there a certificate awarded upon completion of the foundation certificate course?

    Yes, upon successful completion of the foundation certificate course, you will receive an eCertificate, which can be a valuable addition to your resume and may enhance your career prospects in the field.

  • Where to contact in case of any queries?

    Write to us at education@sifs.in, call: +91-1147074263, or WhatsApp: +91-7303913002.  

  • Is a refund available after payment and registration?

    Kindly go through the syllabus and curriculum of the course carefully. No refund is possible once the payment is made.

Child Sexual Abuse and Homicide Case Study

Child sexual abuse is a serious and common problem worldwide. Most sexual assault cases are not reported due to social stigma.

This is the case of a sexually assaulted child from Gwalior who died from strangulation and suffered injuries all over his body, including an abrasion injury to the anal region.

In India, child sexual abuse is covered under the POCSO Act, which was created to protect children under the age of 18 from sexual exploitation. It provides protection from pornography, sexual assault, and harassment.

The body of the boy was found naked and covered with dust, along with several other injuries. He died due to strangulation that was homicidal in nature.

Investigators seized physical evidence like plain soil, blood-containing soil, the boy’s clothes and nails, a stone, the anal slide of the deceased, the semen slide, and the pubic hairs of the accused.

During forensic examination of physical evidence, blood of the deceased was found on accused clothing, spermatozoa of the accused in anal slides of the deceased boy during DNA profiling, and the presence of the boy’s blood on the stone and on the crime scene proved the involvement of the accused.

The accused turned out to be the victim’s neighbor, who allured him by offering some confectionary and then sexually assaulted and murdered him. In this case, the death occurred not because of a sexual act but due to other injuries and strangulation.

The accused was awarded the death penalty by the session court on the basis of the F.S.L. report of physical and circumstantial evidence.


Note: This is only a glimpse of one of a few case studies that we might cover. All case studies are subject to change as per current trends and developments, except a few famous ones from the past.

Jyoti Malhotra

5

Doing an online course in forensic medicine was an enlightening journey. Real cases, expert guidance, and a forensic path worth pursuing!

Harshita

5

I got a chance to learn from the best in the industry in the field of forensic medicine.

Barsa Debbarma

5

It was a very nice experience. The course content was up to par and covered several aspects of human identification during the investigation process.

Praneetha Shekar S

5

I gained deep insights about human identification methods with the forensic medicine program. Real-world cases were beautifully explained by the instructors, making the course much more enjoyable.

Madiha Kayanth

5

SIFS India's Forensic Medicine course was remarkable. I learned the science of identification with confidence and curiosity!

 

Instructors

Dr. Pooja Rastogi

Dr. Pooja Rastogi

Associate Dean and Professor & Head
Dr. Pragnesh Parmar

Dr. Pragnesh Parmar

Professional
Dr. Rajesh Kumar

Dr. Rajesh Kumar

Associate Professor
Dr. Vijay Pal Khanagwal

Dr. Vijay Pal Khanagwal

Professor & HOD
Prof. (Dr.) Mukesh Yadav

Prof. (Dr.) Mukesh Yadav

Additional Director, Medical Education
Prof. (Dr.) Prateek Rastogi

Prof. (Dr.) Prateek Rastogi

Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore

Preview this course

₹ 1770
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Ask Your Query

Enquiries from Forensic Learners


There are no strict prerequisites for the course, though a background in biology, medicine, or forensic science is helpful. It is designed for students and professionals interested in forensic medicine and human identification.

The course is divided into modules with live lectures each of one hour duration delivered by the experts. There are no assignments, but an online exam will be taken to assess your knowledge at the end of the course. The exam is MCQ-based, and you must secure a minimum of 40% marks to be eligible for an industry-recognized e-certificate. If you require a hard copy of the certificate, contact our support team.

The course helps you gain deep insights into the essential techniques of identifying human remains and understanding the medical aspects of forensic investigations. You will go through various topics like postmortem changes, forensic anthropology, forensic thanatology, types of deaths, classification of sexual offenses, infanticide and foeticide, types of injuries, and related laws. The course content is explained through real-world case studies with a focus on its application in legal and criminal investigations. The course is designed to provide foundational knowledge crucial for careers in forensic science and law enforcement.

You can interact with instructors at the end of each live session and clarify your doubts. Instructors are available for questions throughout the course. However, there is no provision for group activities or discussions with fellow students within the group. You can connect with instructors and students outside the group at your own convenience.

Yes, you can access all the resources and study materials for the course online through a dedicated study portal. After enrollment, you will receive login details to access these materials. They include PDFs, reading materials, recorded sessions, and other digital content, which can be accessed lifetime for your reference throughout the course.

You will have access to support through instructor guidance at the end of every session. You will also have access to study material and recorded sessions on our online study portal. You can go through them any number of times, and if you still have doubts about any particular topic, you may contact our support team for additional help.

Upon completing this foundational course, you cannot expect career opportunities immediately. You must enhance your existing skills by enrolling in advanced-level courses in forensic science, medical examination, and law enforcement. With the skills gained, you can work on crime scene analysis, post-mortem examinations, and human identification processes.

The certificate you receive upon completing this course serves as an add-on to your resume and will be recognized by professional bodies or employers in the field. Though to boost your employability within forensic science, law enforcement, or related medical fields, you need to go for further skill enhancement in this domain.

The cost details are mentioned on the website and might vary with time. For specific details, it is best to contact our support team directly or visit our website for the current fee structure before enrolling. We do provide scholarship options to assist with fees. If available, the details of the same will be mentioned in the enrollment form, or if not, you may contact our course coordinator to know about any such opportunities and how to apply for them.

Yes, the course includes topics that address the emotional toll forensic medicine practitioners face, especially when dealing with sensitive cases involving human identification. The curriculum covers strategies for managing stress and emotional resilience, focusing on self-care best practices to handle mental well-being and the psychological challenges encountered in the field.

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