Like other medical detectives, the expert forensic medical examiner analyzes various data to solve medical and legal cases. Their main scope of work includes the determination of the cause and manner of death. Medical records are reviewed, autopsies are done, and court testimonies are given. Such professionals are central to the prosecution and defense of medical cases in the courts. Forensic medical examiners use scientific means to guarantee that justice is served and not denied. Click For More
Responsibilities of a Forensic Medical Examiner
Conducting autopsies is just one of many responsibilities of a forensic medical examiner. The examiner reviews the tissues and organs and assesses the level of injury. In addition, toxicology specimens are analyzed. Medical examiners provide critical evidence for suspicious cases or foul play. Medical Examiners have to work with the Police. Their visibility to the police has to be extensive so that key clues can be easily obtained. The quality of these reports determines their usefulness. Most of the time, their findings influence the outcome of criminal and civil litigations.
The Role of Medical Examiners in Legal Matters
A medical examiner plays a critical role during court proceedings which is why it is advised to obtain the services of an expert witness. Their testimony serves to clarify the scientific rationale and provide context about medical findings and an opinion. The forensic pathologist will confirm and explain if an individual’s death was due to natural causes, accident, or homicide. I believe they are indispensable in defending modern wrongful death actions and in dealing with insurance litigations. Without proper forensic analysis, important details can be ignored. They play a key role in avoiding sloppy investigations.
Legal Medicine in an Autopsy
An autopsy consists of several sequential operations forming a complex medical examination. The first of these is the external examination during which all obtainable physical evidence including wounds and bruises is documented. This is followed by internal examination of the organs to determine the extent of damage and the presence of disease processes. The last part of this section search for other possible toxic factors which may have caused death. Each step is important in providing relevant evidence in forensic investigations. In any investigation, competent forensic medical examiners should be able to elicit important pieces of information and medico legal cases need meticulous examination.
How Forensic Experts Help on Unsolved Cases
Advanced forensics are almost always necessary in unresolved cases. Toxicology analysis, DNA analysis, and histopathology are helpful in figuring out unknown deaths. An expert forensic medical examiner is able to reopen old cases due to new scientific advancements. Their expertise has resolved mysteries that are decades old. Investigators gain new perspectives into previously inexplicable deaths through modern forensic technology. This is the reason why forensic medical examiners are crucial in historical and recent investigations.
Improvements in Forensic Medical Science
Technology guarantees that the field of medicine, especially forensic medicine, improves. Non-invasive autopsies are possible due to improved imaging techniques. Injuries can be digitally reconstructed with the use of digital forensics. Identification accuracy is increased with the use of DNA sequencing. All of these developments aid in the quality of forensic investigation. As the science improves, forensic medical examiners improve their methods of assuring their findings. They continue to strive toward the truth and justice, which makes their work crucial.
Credible Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autopsy