Transcript P1 (Cooper)
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY - an introduction to the issues Dr. Nigel Cooper Newcastle University 22nd April 2009 Durham FORENSIC PATHOLOGY “The study of disease which is of legal importance” – Trauma – “Simple” injuries; head injuries – Firearm injuries – Road traffic deaths – Asphyxia, drowning – Heat, cold and electrocution – effects of trauma – Alcohol and drugs – Deaths relating to medical treatment – Sudden death (adults, children, in pregnancy) – Suspicious death FORENSIC PATHOLOGY Strategic Issues Forensic Procedure 1.Death ?suspicious 2.Information for F.P. 3.?Scene visit 4.?Radiography 5.The P.M. 6.Further tests 7.Information from F.P. 8.Finance 9.Governance and regulation 10.Career structure 11.Academic Forensic Pathology Others 12.The 2nd P.M. 13.The living 1.Death - ? suspicious – How identified – Which cases (drugs and cars) – Role of H.M.Coroner 2. Information for F.P. – Before, during and after death – Collected by police – Determines value of conclusions 3. Scene visit? – – – – – – Time of death (rigor mortis, temp.) Position of body Weapons, staircases etc. Blood and other stains Taking of samples Liaison with SOCO and forensic scientist 4.Radiography? – Children, firearms – The future 5. The Post Mortem – Facilities – Time – Children 7.Information generated by F.P. What? Identity Cause of death Time of death Reconstruction of events Who for? Police Courts Society 8.Finance – – – – Home Office - N.P.I.A. Mortuary facilities Trainees Governance 9.Governance and regulation – G.M.C. – Home office/N.P.I.A. – Royal College of Pathologists 10.Career Structure – – – – – Trainee posts Appointment to consultant post Self employment Universities/N.H.S. Other options 11.Academic Forensic Pathology – – – – – – – Scotland Cardiff Leicester Newcastle Does it matter? Teaching Research 12.The Second P.M. – – – – – Can cause delay ?necessary ?video P.M. Needed in some cases Important audit 13.The Living – – – – Injury assessment At risk of death Serious injuries Specialised areas FORENSIC PATHOLOGY Strategic Issues Forensic Procedure 1.Death ?suspicious 2.Information for F.P. 3.?Scene visit 4.?Radiography 5.The P.M. 6.Further tests 7.Information from F.P. 8.Finance 9.Governance and regulation 10.Career structure 11.Academic Forensic Pathology Others 12.The 2nd P.M. 13.The living FORENSIC PATHOLOGY Forensic Procedure 1.Death ?suspicious 2.Information for F.P. 3.?Scene visit 4.?Radiography 5.The P.M. 6.Further tests 7.Information from F.P. Strategic Issues 8.Finance 9.Governance and regulation 10.Career structure 11.Academic Forensic Pathology Others 12.The 2nd P.M. 13.The living