title: [Opinionating in cases referring to estimation of ability to participate in legal proceedings and estimation of ability to serve a sentence of imprisonment or restriction of freedom in the material of Department of Forensic Medicine in Białystok in the years 2005-2009].
abstract: In the last years in Poland, the number of medicolegal opinions issued concerning the health status of defendants or convicts with regard to their ability to participate in legal proceedings (taking part in trial) and serve a sentence of imprisonment or restriction of freedom (doing free social labor) has been increasing. In the years 2005-2009, in our department, 115 opinions about defendants, convicts, one witness and one sufferer were issued. In this number, 37 opinions were associated with estimation of ability to serve a sentence of imprisonment, 22--estimation of ability to serve a penalty of restricted liberty or possibility of alternative serving a sentence of imprisonment, 56--estimation of ability to take part in legal proceedings. In 8 cases the experts estimated if the health status allowed a defendant to be detained awaiting trial and be detained in custody pending inquiry. The age, sex, place of residence, diseases the opinioned persons suffered from and the judicial organ that commissioned the opinion were taken into consideration in the analysis. The opinions were issued on the basis of court files and medical documentation only--18 opinions, or on the basis of court files, documentation and medical examination--97 opinions. In 52 cases, only specialists of forensic medicine issued the opinions, but in 63 instances, participation of experts in other medical specialties was necessary. Most often, the opinions of cardiologists were sought.
authors.affiliation: Zakładu Medycyny Sadowej Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Białymstoku.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ptaszyńska-Sarosiek
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niemcunowicz-Janica
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filimoniuk
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okłota
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wardaszka
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szeremeta
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sackiewicz
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D011044:Poland; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult