Dr. Thomas Mathew (President-SIMLA) Dr. Cyriac Job (Joint Secr -sz--IAFM)

Dear Sirs,

                    We represent the Indian academy of Forensic Medicine,  and it gives us immense pleasure to introduce this  national body working in the area of Forensic Medicine founded in 1972 with an aim to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standard and promote the progress of Forensic Medicine including toxicology. We used to advise the Central Government and other Govt. organization on matters pertaining to Forensic Medicine etc. In 2003 SIMLA (South Indian Medical Association) was established to ensure quality Medico legal works in South India. Dr. Thomas Mathew , Professor and Head of Forensic Medicine , Medical College  is the President and  Dr. Cyriac Job , Associate Professor is   the Secretary for the year 2011.  You know that the Department of Forensic Medicine, in Medical Colleges not only teach students but also serve the Judiciary in the process of dispensation of Justice in large interest of the society.

                                     We fully agree with the observations of The Government and appreciating the efforts to solve the problem. But please  see that the burden of illness is alarming and equally or more is the increase in the crime rate of India in the past few decades. Of course we have to tackle illness. Equally important is the control of crimes. Only by proper reporting, documentation and preserving evidence we can do this. The role of doctors in this regard is very great. All the doctors should be trained how to prepare certificate of drunkenness, potency, wound certificate etc. Similarly preservation evidences which may be lost as time passes. Failure on the part of doctors can lead to difficulty in conviction of criminals and also acquittal of the innocent people. In India most of the post mortems (90-95%) are done in the health centers and majority of crimes are handled by a Basic doctor both Government and private sector. Few days training to do postmortem can not make one to perform the same to the standard expected by the Judiciary. More over the doctors should be taught clearly how to tackle the legal aspects in connection with their practice which is taught now by us.

                                                   In the last curriculum revision the teaching hours and the marks were reduced for Forensic Medicine. This made the students to show reluctance to study Forensic Medicine which made the Honorable High Court of Kerala to make an order with regard to preparation of medical certificate and reports etc recently. If a doctor treats a patient he only saves from that illness except in epidemics etc. But timely punishment of a criminal, reporting of a crime etc can make many to escape from that threat. Due consideration should be given to the fact that Medical and Legal duties of a doctor form the two sides of a coin in the medical profession.

So our suggestions are

1. Reinstate the previous status of Forensic Medicine by allowing us to teach more (200hrs) and make them to appear examination for 200 marks.

2. Increase to MBBS course to 5 yrs , to innovate the students to be able to perform in the changing scenario. Reduction in the duration helps only to produce unqualified doctors in a short span.

3. Globalised thinking should not be introduced with regard to Forensic Medicine as the rate population types, number and psychology of crimes can not be comparable with other nations.

4. For a major curriculum revamp the feed back should have been collected in a transparent manner and the Academicians should be in the forefront and not the clinicians.

5.  In the Indian scenario a doctor should be trained in such a manner so as to practice in rural areas as majority of us are in rural areas. The proposed curriculum is suitable only to practice in urban areas.

6. Valuable suggestions of expert committees like Justice MN. Venkatachellaih, Mudaliar and Bohr Committee etc                      

In this regard we have decided to joined with the IAFM  and observed  February 5^th, 2011 (Saturday) as a black day  , to express our protest against implementing the proposals of UG Medical Education Working Group 2010, and Forensic Medicine in special. We will did our duty wearing black badges , express our view to the public and collect opinion from  the public and Judiciary etc on that day.

                                      We request your kind consideration to verify these matters from the society’s point of view and making the people and Judiciary aware of these facts so as to make them equipped to tell their suggestions.

Thanking  you,

Dr. Thomas Mathew                                   Dr. Cyriac Job               

  President SIMLA                                          Secretary SIMLA  and              

                                                              Joint Secretary,IAFM (SZ)                   

9387299855                                         9895226096  

                                                             cjcyriacjob@gmail.com

                                                            Cyriac_job@yahoo.co.in