NCJ Number
57284
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
WITH SOME KNOWLEDGE OF THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE OF A PATHOLOGIST, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WILL BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE THE ROLE THE PATHOLOGIST MAY PLAY IN LITIGATION.
Abstract
THIS AUDIO CASSETTE'S DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE PATHOLOGIST IN CRIMINAL DEFENSE TRIALS INDICATES THAT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL EDUCATION AND RESIDENCE EXPERIENCE IN ANATOMY AND MEDICAL CHEMISTRY OF THE PATHOLOGIST EQUIPS HIM TO SERVE AS A USEFUL CONSULTANT TO ATTORNEYS. THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES WHICH OCCUR AS A FUNCTION OF TRAUMA TO THE HUMAN BODY CAN BE EXAMINED AND EXPLAINED TO ATTORNEYS AND TO CRIMINAL TRIAL JURIES BY AN ARTICULATE PATHOLOGIST. AT AUTOPSY AND MEDICAL INVESTIGATIONS, THE PATHOLOGIST IS ACCUSTOMED TO INQUIRING INTO THE CAUSES OF ILLNESS AND INJURY AND BECOMES COMPETENT AT RELATING HIS FINDINGS TO OTHER PERSONS. NO ONE IS MORE INVOLVED IN TRAUMATIC ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES THAN THE RESIDENT PATHOLOGIST OR THE LOCAL FORSENIC PATHOLOGIST. THE PURPOSES OF THE ATTORNEY IN A CRIMINAL DEFENSE MATTER OR A MALPRACTICE SUIT ARE WELL SERVED BY THE INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE PATHOLOGIST. IF SURGERY IS IN PROCESS, AND THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PATIENT CAN BE MADE AWARE OF THE MEDICAL QUESTION INVOLVED, THEN THE ATTORNEY CAN FORMULATE THE LEGAL PROCEDURES THAT WILL BEST SERVE HIS CLIENT. WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION CASES CAN BE AIDED BY THE PATHOLOGIST'S ABILITY TO RELATE SPECIFIC DETAILS ON HEART DISEASE, THE EFFECTS OF STRESS, AND THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICALS AND DUST IN WORK ENVIRONMENTS. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION CONCERNS THE FUNCTION OF THE PATHOLOGIST IN ASSAULT CASES. (TWK).