Provides an invaluable distillation of key topics in forensic medicine for undergraduate, masters, and postgraduate students Essential Forensic Medicine covers the broad area of the forensic medical sciences, delivering core knowledge in the biomedical sciences, and the law and ethics surrounding them. Concise, accessible chapters cover a wide range of topics from basic forensic identification and examination techniques to forensic toxicology and psychiatry. Written by internationally-recognized experts in the field, this authoritative guide offers complete chapter coverage of the legal system, courts, and witnesses; investigation of the deceased and their lawful disposal; and the duties of a registered medical practitioner and the General Medical Council. It instructs readers on the general principles of scene examination and the medico-legal autopsy including how to interpret the many kinds of injuries one can suffer—including those from blunt impact and sharp force, firearms and explosives, asphyxia and drowning. Further chapters cover sexual offences, child abuse, and using DNA in human identification, mental health, alcohol and drug abuse. A fresh, accessible, up to date textbook on forensic medicine Written by a well-known experts with decades of experience in the field Includes numerous figures and tables, and detailed lists of key information Features numerous case studies to reinforce key concepts and ideas explored within the book Helps students to prepare for examinations and enables practitioners to broaden their understanding of the discipline Part of the “Essential Forensic Science” series, Essential Forensic Medicine is a highly useful guide for advanced undergraduate students, master’s students, and new practitioners to the field.

A myriad of different scenarios await those entering the field of forensic pathology, ranging from gunshot wounds to asphyxiation to explosives to death from addiction. Essential Forensic Pathology: Core Studies and Exercises helps prepare pathologists in training by establishing what they must know about the most common death scenes they will encounter. The book begins by discussing the coaching objectives in medical education and follows with a description of the 15 different rotations of the forensic pathology resident. Using a consistent and concise format, the book describes the facility where the rotation takes place, the necessary skills, the laboratory equipment, and other components of the rotation. The main portion of the book presents forensic pathology essentials in the form of learning objectives—each delineated with a code: "M" for items students must know, and "S" for those they must do. This section begins by discussing the government’s role, describes medical examiner and coroner systems, and analyzes the academic discipline of forensic pathology. Next, the book focuses on hands-on elements of forensic pathology, with chapters on scene investigation, identification, and postmortem changes (signs of death). Objectives are also presented for various causes of death, including gunshot wounds, stab wounds, asphyxiation, sex-related death, and death from addiction. Additional chapters cover bombs and explosive devices, mental disease, epidemics, and issues related to forensic entomology. Each chapter contains a list of pertinent vocabulary and references for further study. By mastering the objectives contained in each chapter of this manual, forensic pathology students will be ready to pass certification exams and work confidently in the field.

This book is written for pathologists and trainees in forensic pathology and neuropathology who will have to conduct forensic neuropathology autopsies. It will provide them with the basic knowledge to conduct a thorough postmortem examination of the nervous system, describe and document the relevant pathological changes, and interpret these findings in a way that will be helpful in determining the cause and manner of death. Great importance will be placed on the objective and rigorous documentation of the pathological findings, because many of these autopsy reports will be re-examined in the context of legal inquiries and proceedings. A companion Website will offer the fully searchable text, an image bank, and additional e-figures.

Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 1st Edition

Forensic medicine covers an amazing range of different subjects and no single individual can expect to be an expert in all of them. The Oxford Handbook of Forensic Medicine provides comprehensive coverage of all areas within this complex discipline. Written for specialists and non-specialists alike, it will appeal to practising forensic scientists, as well as lawyers, police officers, and forensic science students. It shows how forensic medicine has been used in specific cases enabling the reader to apply their knowledge in real life. A detailed glossary of medical terms helps those without medical training to understand medical reports and practices. This easily-portable guide is essential reading for the busy clinical forensic doctor or nurse, and others working at the interface between medicine and law.

This book presents the latest developments in the field of forensic pathology/forensic medicine, including important advances in forensic histopathology, forensic radiology, medical malpractice, understanding of child abuse, and forensic toxicology. Various forms of trauma are addressed in individual chapters, and among the other topics covered are traffic medicine, forensic alcohol toxicology, forensic DNA analysis, forensic osteology, and international regulations. The book includes a wealth of color illustrations and numerous tables presenting key facts. The authors are leading experts in general pathology, forensic radiology, and forensic toxicology. Forensic Pathology/Forensic Medicine: Fundamentals and Perspectives will be of interest not only to specialist pathologists and those working in forensic medicine, but also to coroners, forensic physicians, students, lawyers, attorneys, and policemen.

An Introduction to Forensic Genetics is a comprehensive introduction to this fast moving area from the collection of evidence at the scene of a crime to the presentation of that evidence in a legal context. The last few years have seen significant advances in the subject and the development and application of genetics has revolutionised forensic science. This book begins with the key concepts needed to fully appreciate the subject and moves on to examine the latest developments in the field, illustrated throughout with references to relevant casework. In addition to the technology involved in generating a DNA profile, the underlying population biology and statistical interpretation are also covered. The evaluation and presentation of DNA evidence in court is discussed as well with guidance on the evaluation process and how court reports and statements should be presented. An accessible introduction to Forensic Genetics from the collection of evidence to the presentation of that evidence in a legal context Includes case studies to enhance student understanding Includes the latest developments in the field focusing on the technology used today and that which is likely to be used in the future Accessible treatment of population biology and statistics associated with forensic evidence This book offers undergraduate students of Forensic Science an accessible approach to the subject that will have direct relevance to their courses. An Introduction to Forensic Genetics is also an invaluable resource for postgraduates and practising forensic scientists looking for a good introduction to the field.

Twenty-five years have passed since Cyril Polson last updated his classic text Essentials of Forensic Medicine. This much anticipated edition maintains the distinctive and popular case-based approach of the original editions, but thoroughly revised to reflect modern twenty-first century practice. This fifth edition presents the reader with a united pathological and clinical perspective of all aspects of forensic medicine for the forensic practitioner and those working in allied disciplines.

Section I: Forensic medicine 1. Introduction 2. Legal Procedure 3. Medical Law and Ethics 4. Identification 5. Medicolegal Autopsy 6. Death and Its Cause 7. Postmortem Changes 8. Mechanical Injuries 9. Regional Injuries 10. Medicolegal Aspects of Wounds 11. Thermal Deaths 12. Starvation 13. Mechanical Asphyxia 14. Anaesthetic and Operative Deaths 15. Impotence and Sterility 16. Virginity, Pregnancy and Delivery 17. Abortion 18. Sexual Offences 19. Infant Deaths 20. Blood Stains 21. Artefacts 22. Forensic Science Laboratory 23. Forensic Psychiatry Section II: Toxicology 24. General Considerations 25. Agricultural Poisons 26. Corrosive Poisons 27. Metallic Poisons 28. Inorganic Irritant Poisons 29. Organic Irritant Poisons 30. CNS Depressants 31. Psychotropic Drugs 32. Deliriant Poisons 33. Substance (Drug) Dependence and Abuse 34. Spinal Poisons 35. Cardiac Poisons 36. Asphyxiants 37. Miscellaneous Poisons 38. Food Poisoning Appendices Index