NCJ Number
57553
Journal
FORENSIC SCIENCE Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (JULY/AUGUST 1977) Pages: 42-46
Editor(s)
J VOIGT
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
ITALY FORMS ONE OF THE LARGEST RESERVOIRS OF MEDICOLEGAL EXPERTISE IN WESTERN EUROPE. THE STATE DOES NOT MAINTAIN ANY FORENSIC INSTITUTES, AND LEGAL MEDICINE IS HANDLED ALMOST ENTIRELY BY UNIVERSITIES AND DESIGNATED HOSPITALS.
Abstract
INSTITUTES OF LEGAL MEDICINE ARE SITUATED IN THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF ROME, CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF ROME, AND IN 29 OTHER UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE ALSO DEPARTMENTS OF LEGAL MEDICINE AND SOCIAL INSURANCE IN THE MUNICIPAL HOSPITALS OF VARESE, BERGAMO, NOVARA, MILAN, ANCONA, BARI, VENICE, AND NAPLES. AT LEAST 130 DOCTORS WORK IN THESE INSTITUTES, SUPPORTED BY PARAMEDICAL AND CLERICAL STAFF. THESE CLINICS COVER THE RANGE OF FORENSIC INVESTIGATION BUT FOCUS ON INSURANCE AND COMPENSATION MEDICINE, A FOCUS WHICH IS RATHER UNFAMILIAR TO FORENSIC EXPERTS IN NORTHERN EUROPE. IN CRIMINAL CASES ALL UNIVERSITY SERVICES ARE EQUALLY AVAILABLE TO BOTH THE STATE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENSE. PURE CRIMINALISTICS WORK IS PERFORMED BY LABORATORIES DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE HOME OFFICE, THE MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THESE LABORATORIES DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL STAFF SO THEY DO NOT PERFORM AUTOPIES, BUT THEY DO DEAL WITH SOME BIOLOGICAL MATTERS SUCH AS STAINS, SEROLOGY, AND TOXICOLOGY. WHEN A CRIME IS SUSPECTED, THE JUDGE ORDERS FURTHER INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING AN AUTOPSY, AND AUTOHRIZES THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF LEGAL MEDICINE OF THE LOCAL UNIVERSITY TO HANDLE IT. IN CITIES WITH NO INSTITUTE THE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL'S DEPARTMENT LEGAL MEDICINE, A PUBLIC HEALTH DOCTOR, OR A LOCAL PHYSICIAN IS CALLED UPON. THE AUTOPSY RATE FOR MURDER, SUICIDE AND ACCIDENT CASES VARIES CONSIDERABLY IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF ITALY, BUT THE RATES ARE GENERALLY LOW. (GLR)