NCJ Number
66249
Journal
Journal of the Kansas Bar Association Volume: 47 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 17-27
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
NUMEROUS DISCIPLINES OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES ARE DISCUSSED, WITH ATTENTION TO THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAW, FORENSIC MEDICINE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
BECAUSE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH CONFRONT ATTORNEYS REQUIRE SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE THERE ARE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION WHICH TOGETHER ARE REFERRED TO AS THE FORENSIC SCIENCES. THE DISCIPLINE OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGY IS A SPECIALTY OF MEDICINE AND A SUBSPECIALTY OF PATHOLOGY. IT INVOLVES THE STUDY OF THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO UNNATURAL DEATH AND VARIOUS TYPES OF TRAUMA TO THE LIVING. TOXICOLOGY IS THE STUDY OF POISONS AND BASICALLY CONSISTS OF THE EXAMINATION OF BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS. ANTHROPOLOGY FOCUSES ON THE IDENTIFICATION AND DETERMINATION OF INFORMATION FROM SKELETAL REMAINS, I.E., THE SEX, AGE, RACE, AND BLOOD TYPE OF THE VICTIM. ADDITIONAL DISCIPLINES INCLUDE ODONTOLOGY, PSYCHIATRY, QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS, AND CRIMINALISTICS. MEDICOLEGAL PROBLEMS TO WHICH THE FORENSIC EXPERTISE MAY BE APPLIED INCLUDE A MYRIAD OF POSSIBLE AREAS OF LITIGATION. BASICALLY, THEY DEAL WITH PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE PATIENT INVOLVING HEALTH CARE AND WELFARE. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE ATTORNEY HANDLING SUCH A CASE UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED FROM THE MEDICAL STANDPOINT AND WHAT TYPE OF PHYSICIAN CAN PROVIDE NEEDED TESTIMONY OR INFORMATION. MEDICAL AND LAW SCHOOLS SHOULD EMPHASIZE THESE ASPECTS OF MEDICOLEGAL AND FORENSIC EXPERTISE AND THEIR APPLICATIONS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT A CONTINUOUS BASIS OF COMMUNICATIONS BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN LAW, MEDICINE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. GREAT EFFORTS MUST MADE IN THE CONTINUATION OF SHARING THE PROBLEMS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THESE PROFESSIONS. (LWM)