Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

A new era of Forensic Medicine began after JIPMER was declared an Institution of National Importance (an autonomous body) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 2008. The Department of Forensic Medicine, which was previously managed by the proxy appointees of the General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) cadre, has then been staffed with dedicated specialists from the field of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology.

The first batch of Forensic Physicians to join the department was Dr. Kusa Kumar Shaha (Assistant Professor) and Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra (Senior Resident). However, over the last 10 years, this department has evolved into a full-fledged functional part of the JIPMER. Currently, this Department is headed by Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra, and has five faculty members, three Senior Residents, and nine Junior Resident physicians.

The department primarily caters to the public, law enforcement agencies, judiciary, and healthcare professionals. It currently provides services in three main areas: Clinical Forensic Medicine, Academic and Autopsy Pathology services. Academic services are available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing medical and paramedical fields.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this department align with advancing education, research, and practical applications of forensic science within medical practice and criminal investigations. Our future vision and goals are as follows:

1. Advancing Latest and Relevant Medical Educational

• • Provide comprehensive education in forensic medicine and toxicology to undergraduate, postgraduate, and paramedical students.
  • Train students and professionals in medico-legal investigation procedures, including autopsy techniques, injury assessment, and toxicology.
  • Foster interdisciplinary learning by collaborating with other faculties (law, pathology, dentistry, and judiciary).

2. Promote Research and Innovation among the students

• • Promote research in the medical undergraduates and postgraduate students, with a focus on emerging areas like postmortem interval estimation, thanatochemistry, and clinical forensic medicine.
  • Establish research collaborations with national and international institutions like ICMR and other funding agencies.

3. Clinical and Medico-legal Services

• • Provide expert forensic services to law enforcement and judicial bodies for crime investigations and legal proceedings.
  • Develop standard protocols for medico-legal autopsies, including proper collection and preservation of evidence.
  • Offer consultancy to hospitals, courts, and police for medical jurisprudence and forensic toxicology cases.

4. Capacity Building and Public Outreach

• • Conduct Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs, workshops, and seminars for professionals and students.
  • Train police, lawyers, and judiciary on medico-legal issues to strengthen justice delivery.
  • Promote awareness about medico-legal rights and responsibilities among the public.

5. Ethical and Legal Framework Development

• • Uphold ethical practices in forensic medicine by training professionals in medical ethics and confidentiality.
  • Develop guidelines on death investigation and medico-legal reporting to ensure compliance with legal standards.
  • Collaborate with policymakers to enhance forensic infrastructure and governance.

6. Quality Assurance and Professional Development

• • Ensure the faculty remains updated with advances in forensic medicine and toxciology by participating in national and international conferences.
  • Regularly assess and update curricula to match contemporary forensic standards and practices.
  • Encourage faculty members to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and engage in scholarly activities.

The objectives of a faculty of forensic medicine are:

• Train future forensic experts: The primary objective of a faculty of forensic medicine is to educate and train students to become qualified forensic experts who can contribute to the legal system and law enforcement agencies.
• Advance forensic science: Faculty members should engage in research and scholarship to advance the field of forensic medicine and develop new techniques and methodologies.
• Provide expert services: Faculty members may also be called upon to provide expert testimony in court cases or to assist law enforcement agencies with investigations.
• Promote ethical standards: A faculty of forensic medicine should promote ethical standards and best practices in the field, ensuring that forensic evidence is collected, analyzed, and presented in a reliable and unbiased manner.
• Collaborate with other disciplines: Forensic medicine is an interdisciplinary field, and faculty members should collaborate with experts from other disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, and law, to address complex cases and advance forensic science.

Last Updated:01-Nov-2024