Comments by Dr.G.Biswas

The document is not clear regarding the status of forensic medicine & toxicology in the proposed guidelines. But, one thing is clear that they are undermining the subject which should not be acceptable to any of us. Fragmentation of the subject of forensic medicine is not justified as the students will be incapable of handling medico-legal cases thus leading to miscarriage of justice. At present, the subject of forensic medicine exclusively deals with medico-legal issues and it should not be diluted but rather strengthened further as medico-legal cases are increasing day-by-day.

Dear Dr Adarsh,
Greetings & Happy New Year. The document is not clear regarding the status of forensic medicine & toxicology in the proposed guidelines. But, one thing is clear that they are undermining the subject which should not be acceptable to any of us. Fragmentation of the subject of forensic medicine is not justified as the students will be incapable of handling medico-legal cases thus leading to miscarriage of justice. At present, the subject of forensic medicine exclusively deals with medico-legal issues and it should not be diluted but rather strengthened further as medico-legal cases are increasing day-by-day.

I propose that we (all forensic medicine faculty as well as all those pursuing MD in our subject) should send individual letters to the BOG and all organizations of forensic medicine in different states should sent their suggestions at the earliest (last date of submission is 17th Jan 2011). I have few suggestions which you may think of before drafting ur letter:
1. The subject of forensic medicine & toxicology should be taught in the final professional only. The reason of disinterest shown by the students during 2nd Prof is because of its irrelevance during this prof. It is more of a clinical subject and by the time the students pass final prof, all the basic aspects of forensic medicine are forgotten by them. Ethics, jurisprudence, examination of trauma cases, rape cases, poisoning cases, filling up of birth/death certificates are relevant only during final prof and internship. If taught in final prof, it will be fresh in their memory and will be helpful in dealing properly with medico-legal cases in future too.

2. The subject should be at par with any other major subject, whether anatomy, pathology or obs & gyne. Allocating lesser marks to the subject gives an impression that the subject is not important and this has happened as of today because major subjects are of 200 marks and our subject is of 100 marks only. So it should be of 200 marks.

3. It is suggested that, all hospital deaths in a private college attached to the hospital may be autopsied there only and state govt should have no objection to it. Since, there is faculty available in the forensic dept, he is more competent to conduct the postmortem; only permission should be taken from state govt. before starting it. This will also ease of the burden from the local civil hospital and autopsy will be conducted by an expert in the field (rather that MBBS doctor in civil hospital).

4. If possible MLRs are to be prepared by residents doing MD (Forensic Medicine) & faculty members in forensic medicine. This will only add to the overall involvement of the faculty in the day-to-day work of the hospital.

With regards,
Dr Gautam Biswas
Prof & Head
Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
DMC & Hospital, Ludhiana