Association of Young Forensic Experts

Dear sir / Madam,

  In view of recent developments in the field of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, we from Bangalore are launching an Association of Young Forensic Experts with initial 20 members today which will fight for the cause independently and along with other Parent Bodies (KAMLS, SIMLA, IAFMA, IAFMT, Indian Society of Toxicology).
  We would like you to express your views and become the active members. This will be our first and maybe last fight to save our subject and careers. The views expressed in the quality of medical education should be brought into the practice . Many seniors have expressed their solidarity with us to fight for our survival of subject and livelihood.
  We cannot wait for our seniors to fight for the cause because we, young forensics are badly affected more than anybody else.
  Following are the action plans we have thought of.
1) To make our association strong body with maximum number across India and form an action committee .
2) To gather everyone's views and ideas.
3) To submit memorandum to the Heads of State Government and Chief Justices across India.
4) To submit memorandum to the State Home and Law ministries personally.
5) "Chalo Rajbhavan" to submit memorandum at State capitals.
6) To protest- Token Strike by not conducting autopsies and any medicolegal work across India.
7) To get support from the Judges and Police personnel and media regarding the usefullness and importance of the Forensic subject.
8) Once again, representing our cause to Health minister, Opposition leaders, Legal luminaries, national media and NGOs.
  If this does not materialize the next mode of action should be
1) To submit memorandum to PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi.
2) Indefinite strike.
3) "Delhi Chalo"
4) One day token fasting in front of Parliament.
5)Public Litigation from NGOs/ Interested people/our own association.

   We would welcome you to give your inputs and suggestions to make this preliminary step a success. Please respond within 24 hours.
   Please circulate this mail immediately among all PGs and staff members of Forensic medicine, ENT, Optho and others who can help us.
  Please find the attachment (registration form) and mail back the duly filled form as soon as possible.

forensicyouth@gmail.com

For all queries, contact

1) Major (Dr.) Jayanth - 9845750080
2) Dr. Dayananda - 9591976095
3) Dr. Anitha - 9008417293
4) Dr. Udaya Shankar B S - 8123422114
5) Dr. Siddaramanna - 8867445242
6) Dr. Shailesh V Parate - 9036513142

Association of Young Forensic Experts Registration form

Name

Age                             

Sex

Designation

  

College

Mobile No

Email id

Address

MCI- VISION 2015- Forensic Medicine

The main function of the Medical Council of India is establishing uniform standards of higher qualifications in medicine and recognition of medical qualifications in India and abroad. Board of Governors, Medical Council of India has developed a “Vision-2015” document to reform the medical education in the country.    The main  components  of  the  Vision-2015  documents  are  reforms  in  Under  Graduate  and  Post  Graduate  Medical Education. This vision document is placed  on  the  website  of  the  Council  using  the  URL http://www.mciindia.org/MediaRoom/Announcements.aspxWe  welcome  comments   and  suggestions  of the Medical fraternity, policy makers, professional organization  and  other  stake  holders,  within  21 days, i.e. by 7thFeb, 2011 so as to enable us to complete the policy document. 

The subject of Forensic Medicine is essentially the application of medical and allied knowledge and expertise related to debates in the courts of Law for the administration of justice. It is taught to the medical students in Phase 2 MBBS by the way of didactic lectures, integrated teaching, practical demonstrations, witnessing of autopsies and examination and  preparing of  reports in various medico legal situations which would hold them in good steed once they start their professional career.

1. The subject is not only teaching to second MBBS students but also post graduate students of the subject the future Medico legal experts as well as PG of other subjects also.

2. To guide medical officers especially those are working in the field.

3. To help in the investigation of crime to the police and lawyer.

4. To assist in understanding the case in the view of medical science to the honorable court from time to time.

5. The honorable Supreme Court had given order to perform custody death investigations by the staff members of the forensic medicine department.

       6. We are preparing the basic doctor for Health for all and about 80 %    

       graduates are working in the field at PHC, CHC, Health centers and also as private practitioners.

                                   7. These doctors are not facing any problem about pathology,           

                                   microbiology, pharmacology or any clinical subjects but they are afraid  

                                   of Medico legal cases. When any doctor in the field having a Medico

                                   legal case he started perspiring, increase heartbeat etc. and try to contact

                                   any person who know something about the case or to department of   

                                   forensic medicine & toxicology.

8. From day one on the duty he/ she has to perform autopsy, prohibition case examination, sexual offences cases, injury reports, age estimation etc. but not the investigation like microbiology or pathology or any other subject.

                                          Proposed Structure and Duration of the Course

                                                         MBBS- IN VISION 2015

4 year course + 1 year internship (which includes 6 months of electives)

The course would be of 4 years duration with one year internship and provision for elective periods of 6 months before or after internship. Curriculum can be divided into core and non-core with the non-core part of the curriculum be made elective or applied.

Group A:

Year1- Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry;

Year 2- Pathology, Microbiology and Pharmacology

Group B:

Year 4- Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gyanecology, Paediatrics, Family Medicine and Community health

Group C:

Year 2- Forensic medicine

Year 3 and 4- ENT and Opthalmology, STD and Dermatology, Orthopaedics, Accident and Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Anaesthesia, Psychiatry

Elective options- clinical and research electives

   Forensic Medicine can be effectively taught during Gynaecology &   

   Obstetrics (rape, assault), surgery (injuries), pharmacology (toxicology). Legal experts can be called for medico-legal issues. Forensic medicine skills can be acquired during internship such as documentation of medico-legal cases of alcoholism, suicide/homicide, rape, assault and injury cases.

The above move by MCI-BOG to sideline forensic medicine will have widespread effects like

- Students after passing MBBS will enter into private practice without any knowledge of medico legal issues which is dangerous not only to society but also for them in present era of litigations.

- If students are not taught Forensic medicine at MBBS level they will be totally unaware about the subject.

-  If Medical colleges do not require forensic medicine teachers where will be job opportunities for existing staff as well as for fresh post graduates. 

-In absence of job opportunities a doubt arises if any one would like to pursue this specialty as career which will result in shortage of forensic medicine specialists in the country.

- Already a large no of post mortem and other medico legal issues are handled by either MBBS graduates or by doctors from other specialties(common scenario in many states) resulting in poor quality of medico legal reports and opinions. This leads to denial of justice to public. If these "VISION 2015" guidelines are implemented it will only add to the problem.

-If there will be less or no forensic persons who will do the post mortem and other medico legal works.

-As per BOG forensic medicine should not be part of MBBS curriculum and health ministry instead it has to be taken care by Home dept. We would like to say that forensic medicine is a specialty in medical field. It is a post graduation degree course which has to be pursued by MBBS graduate doctors only. It is related to human body directly. So it should be a part of ministry of health as well as MBBS syllabus.

- In present era we have to go forward and explore new horizons in all medical specialties. Present action by BOG is a retrospective action.

        - BOG argues that ministry wants to reduce duration of MBBS curriculum by 6 months. I wish to question the logic behind this, do we just want to produce doctors or should we aim to produce quality doctors. Even if BOG is not bothered about quality will a reduction of 6 months make a hell lot of difference?

-Without the knowledge of forensic medicine how can a doctor sitting at PHC or even district hospital level ensure quality medico legal service to the needy patients?

-BOG says that postmortem and medico legal issues are related to ministry of home with no liability on shoulders of MCI and medical profession.

We wish to ask that as doctors and as responsible citizens of India doesn’t MCI has a social responsibility towards common public to ensure justice for all by providing whatever help we can as doctors whether it is treatment or medico legal help.