Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Goals

The broad goal of teaching Forensic Medicine and Toxicology in the MBBS curriculum is:

1. To produce a well-informed physician who understands their medico-legal responsibilities in medical practice.
2. Graduates should be capable of making accurate observations and drawing logical deductions to assist legal and criminal investigations.
3. Applying the laws of the land correctly to medical practice.
4. Understanding and respecting codes of medical ethics and professional conduct.

Objectives

1.Knowledge

• .Medico-Legal Responsibilities: Identify basic medico-legal duties in hospital and general practice, including in rural primary health centres or urban health setups.
• Legal and Judicial Systems: Describe the Indian legal system, criminal procedure codes (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita/Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bhartiya suraksha Adhiniyam), and the powers of various courts (Magistrate, Sessions, High Court, and Supreme Court).
• Thanatology and Autopsy: Understand death, post-mortem changes, the mechanics of conducting a medico-legal post-mortem examination, and how to interpret autopsy findings to determine the cause, manner, and time since death.
• Injuries and Trauma: Classify mechanical, thermal, chemical, firearm, and regional injuries, and determine the weapon or force involved.
• Toxicology: Define general, forensic, and clinical toxicology. Understand the toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, diagnosis, and management of common poisons encountered in India (agricultural, plant, metallic, CNS, and corrosive poisons), alongside antidote therapy and sample preservation.
• Medical Ethics and Jurisprudence: Comprehend medical negligence, consent (informed vs. implied), professional secrecy, consumer protection laws, and medical records maintenance.

2.Skills

• Examination & Certification: Examine medico-legal cases (such as injuries, sexual assaults, age estimation, drunkenness, and psychiatric illnesses) and author authentic medical reports, injury reports, referral/discharge slips, and death certificates.
• Autopsy Assistance: Perform or assist in medico-legal autopsies and properly preserve, label, and dispatch biological samples and viscera for chemical or forensic analysis.
• Poison Management: Execute basic clinical methodologies in poisoning cases, including emergency decontamination, supportive care, bedside tests, and administering antidotes.
• Court Testimony: Act as an impartial medical witness or expert witness, communicating complex medical facts clearly within a judicial setting.
• Protection against Mishaps: Practice defensive medicine and follow protocol to protect themselves from unjustified legal allegations or medical negligence claims.

Infrastructure and learning resources

• Demonstration Room – 60.864sqm (50 Student) With LCD &
• Library – 33.54sqm
• Practical Lab- 249.36sqm ( 30 Students)
• Museum – 241.65sqm ( 75 Students)
• Research Lab – 79.80sqm

Infrastructure: Office Accommodation

• Professor and hod – 23.28sqm
• Associate professor – 16.09sqm
• Assistant professor – 15.74sqm
• Tutor/demonstrator – 16.14sqm
• Department office cum clerical room – 12.693sqm
• Non – teaching staff – 14.97sqm