[Role of experts in forensic medicine in opinioning for courts and insurance agencies].
Forensic medicine belongs to a group of medical specialties which are listed as basic specialties according to the Ministry of Health. As indicated already by the specialist program, the aim of such studies involves mastering of abilities which permit the medical doctor to provide competent opinions for courts and other organs in the administration of justice, consistent with the current medical knowledge, forensic experience and requirements of the law. Therefore, obtaining specialist qualifications in forensic medicine the doctor is expected to be prepared for forensic certification in penal, civil and insurance matters on the basis of a medical examination and/or court files. It should be explained that forensic medicine practiced in Poland and in some European countries represents a much broader specialty than forensic pathology practiced in the USA and some English-speaking countries. In the latter countries the specialty represents a part of broadly understood pathology. The situation of a forensic physician in organization of the execution of justice in the USA, his/ her competencies and range of activities are completely distinct to those characterizing a forensic physician in Poland. In its range accepted in Poland, forensic medicine has a broader scope. It deals not only with the narrow range of penal proceedings but also pertains the entire problems of certification for the courts and other organs which deal with implementation of justice, as well as for other institutions such as various insurance companies. One of the reasons for separation of forensic medicine from other specialties was the fact that appropriate forensic opinioning requires more than encompassing respective medical knowledge. Also needed is the ability to understand intentions and aims of justice execution and the capacity to formulate opinions in such a range and in such a way that it will be perceived by the addressee in an unbiased form.
Katedra Medycyny Sadowej, Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lodzi, Zakład Medycyny, ul. Sedziowska 18a, 91-304 Lódź. J.Berent@eranet.pl
Jarosław
J
Berent
D005060:Europe; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011044:Poland; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States