INTRODUCTION

Legal Medicine

A branch of Medicine which deals with the application
of medical knowledge to the purposes of law and
justice.
It is the application of basic and clinical knowledge in
both medical and paramedical sciences to elucidate
legal matters
Forensic Medicine use of medical science to
elucidate legal problems
Medical Jurisprudence

A branch of Law which deals with-
The organization and regulation of the medical
profession
The contractual obligation existing between the medical
practitioner and his patient
The duties imposed on the medical practitioner by the
State
MEDICINE


The science and art of diagnosing, treating, curing and
preventing disease, relieving pain and improving the
health of a person.

LAW
A rule of conduct, just, obligatory, laid by legitimate
power for common observance and benefit.
Includes regulations and circulars which are issued to
implement a law and have the effect of law.
Characteristics: ( 1) rule of conduct
(2) dictated by legitimate power
( 3) compulsory & obligatory to all


Legal medicine Medical jurisprudence
Branch of Medicine
Medicine applied to Law and
the administration of justice
Originated from the
development of Medical
Science

Based on the principle of
coordination
Branch of Law
Law applied to the practice of
Medicine

Emanates from: acts of
Congress, EOs, memos &
circulars, customs & usages,
SC decisions
Based on the principle of
subordination
SCOPE OF LEGAL
MEDICINE






BASIC SCIENCES

Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Physics
Genetics
SCOPE OF LEGAL
MEDICINE






SURGERY


Gunshot Wounds
Physical Injuries
Trauma
Burns
SCOPE OF LEGAL
MEDICINE







INTERNAL MEDICINE

Drug dependence / addiction
Asphyxia
Coma
Alcoholism
Poisoning
Psychiatric diseases
Impotency / sterility

SCOPE OF LEGAL
MEDICINE







OBSTETRICS &
GYNECOLOGY


Pregnancy & Birth
Abortion
Methods of Procreation
Virginity & defloration
Sexual crimes
SCOPE OF LEGAL
MEDICINE







PATHOLOGY

Death- natural, violent or
disaster
Blood studies
Paternity
DNA, Fingerprinting
Dental pathology
Nature of the Study of Legal
Medicine
M E D I C O L E G A L O F F I C E R



Facts Verbal Written
Communication Communication
Conclusion

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

Medico-legal Cases
Injuries or deaths involving persons who have no
means of being identified
Persons pronounced as DOA or dead on arrival
Victims of physical injuries gunshot, stabbing,
mauling, vehicular accidents, asphyxia, electrocution,
burns, suicide, poisoning
Medico-legal Cases
Death under the following circumstances:
1) Within 24 hours of admission when the clinical
cause is unknown
2) Sudden death when the victim was in apparent
good health
3) Due to natural causes but associated with evidence
of foul play
4) Due to violence, accident, suicide, poisoning or
negligent act of another person
Medico-legal Cases

Child abuse, domestic violence, rape, alcoholism, and
drug addiction
Mental competency of the patient
Iatrogenic causes due to the negligent acts or
omissions of the hospital staff resulting in physical or
mental incapacitation or death of the patient
Ordinary Physician
Medical Jurist
INJURY OR
DISEASE
Treatment

PURPOSE
Diagnosis

MINOR
INJURIES
Not recorded

Cause


Report to the court or
investigative body


Recorded
Who are the Medico-legal Officers

Health Officers municipality, city, province
Medical Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies- NBI,
NAPOLCOM
Medical Staff of Accredited Hospitals- CCMC, VSMMC
Any physician appointed by the Court (Sec. 2, Art. III,
Code of Medical Ethics)
PD 856 Code of Sanitation
Persons Authorized to Perform
Autopsies

Health Officers
Medical Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies
Members of the Medical staff of Accredited Hospitals
Branches of Law where Legal
Medicine is applicable
Civil Law
Criminal Law
Remedial Law
Special Laws- Dangerous Drugs Act, Child and Youth
Welfare Code, Code of Sanitation, etc.
CIVIL LAW
Determination and Termination of Civil Personality
(Art. 40 & 41)
The Limitation or Restriction of a Natural Persons
Capacity to Act (Art. 23 & 39)
Marriage & Legal Separation (CC & Family Code)
Paternity & Filiation
Testamentary Capacity of a Person Making a Will
CRIMINAL LAW

Circumstances Affecting Criminal Liability
Crimes Against Persons
Crimes Against Chastity
REMEDIAL LAW

Physical & Mental Examination of a Person
Proceedings for Hospitalization of an Insane Person
Rules on Evidences
SPECIAL LAWS

Dangerous Drugs Act
Youth & Child Welfare Code
Insurance Law
Code of Sanitation