NCJ Number
59057
Journal
FORENSIC SCIENCE Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1977) Pages: 28-30
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE LEGAL MEDICINE SYSTEM IS HIGHLY ORGANIZED, WITH ALL CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR DRUNKENNESS, SEX OFFENSES, OR FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY THE PROVINCE OF THE POLICE AND ALL AUTOPSY AND LABORATORY WORK DONE BY ACADEMIC INSTITUTES.
Abstract
INSTITUTES OF LEGAL MEDICINE ARE LOCATED AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF BERLIN (HUMBOLT UNIVERSITY), HALLE, LEIPZIG, ROSTOCK, AND GREIFSWALD. THERE ARE ALSO INSTITUTES IN THE ACADEMIES OF MAGDEBURG, DRESDEN, ERFURT, A DISTRICT INSTITUTE AT SCHWERIN, AND ONE MAINTAINED BY THE ARMY. A 56-HOUR COURSE IN FORENSIC MEDICINE IS COMPULSORY FOR UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS, AND THE STUDENTS MUST PASS AN ORAL EXAMINATION IN THE SUBJECT BEFORE THEY CAN QUALIFY AS DOCTORS. COMPREHENSIVE POSTGRADUATE TRAINING IS ALSO OFFERED. A DEATH MAY COME TO THE NOTICE OF A MEDICOLEGAL INSTITUTE IN TWO WAYS. IN SUSPICIOUS CASES OR WHEN THERE HAS BEEN AN OBVIOUS CRIME, THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS GIVEN TO THE POLICE BY THE DOCTOR, AND THE INVESTIGATING AUTHORITY REQUESTS AN AUTOPSY. ALTERNATIVELY, THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER CAN ORDER AN AUTOPSY IN NONCRIMINAL OR SUSPICIOUS CASES. ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF ALL DEATHS ARE REFERRED FOR INVESTIGATION, AND ALL POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS HAVE FULL ANATOMICAL AUTOPSY. THERE IS NO STATE OVERSIGHT OF THE PROFESSION BUT AUTOPSIES MAY BE CARRIED OUT ONLY BY PATHOLOGISTS AND MEDICOLEGAL EXPERTS LICENSED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR THIS SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY. (GLR)