NCJ Number
59058
Journal
FORENSIC SCIENCE Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1977) Pages: 31-33
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
EACH OF WEST GERMANY'S 11 REGIONS HAS ITS OWN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COURT SYSTEM AND THE MEDICOLEGAL SYSTEMS VARY ACCORDINGLY. UNIVERSITIES, INDEPENDENT INSTITUTES, AND THE POLICE ALL GATHER FORENSIC EVIDENCE.
Abstract
THERE ARE 21 INSTITUTES OF LEGAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATED WITH UNIVERSITIES. IN ADDITION, BAVARIA HAS 21 INDEPENDENT INSTITUTES, WUERTTEMBERG HAS THE INSTITUTE FOR LEGAL MEDICINE FOR THE CITY OF STUTTGART, AND THERE ARE 7 OTHER INDEPENDENT CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE WEST GERMAN ARMY HAS A MEDICOLEGAL SERVICE, AND THE POLICE MAINTAIN LABORATORIES FOR PURELY CRIMINALISTIC INVESTIGATIONS. MANY OF THESE INDEPENDENT INSTITUTES ARE ORGANIZED THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, WHILE THE OTHERS ARE SUPPORTED BY A VARIETY OF AGENCIES. FORENSIC INSTRUCTION IS REQUIRED FOR UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS, BUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN TO THE SUBJECT VARIES GREATLY BY INSTITUTION. THE SCHOOLS PLACE CONSIDERABLE EMPHASIS ON THE CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF LIVE PATIENTS, SUCH AS THE EXAMINATION OF DRUNKEN DRIVERS AND EXAMINATIONS OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. ALL DEATHS OCCURRING OUTSIDE A HOSPITAL ARE REFERRED TO A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY; THOSE APPEARING SUSPICIOUS ARE TRANSFERRED TO A DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL MEDICINE. THE PROPORTION OF DEATHS INVESTIGATED BY THIS DEPARTMENT VARIES GREATLY BY REGION, 18 PERCENT IN LUEBECK DOWN TO 3 PERCENT IN HEIDELBERG. ALL HAVE FULL AUTOPSIES. THE POLICE, THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY, AND THE COURT ALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER AN AUTOPSY AND PHYSICIANS MAY BE ASKED FOR ONE OR MORE SCIENTIFIC REASONS. (GLR)