title: Origin and development of forensic medicine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: The medicolegal death investigation system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is unique in the world. It is exclusively derived from Islamic judiciary based on Shari'ah law, which is the definitive Islamic law or doctrine. This law is applied on Saudi citizens as well as foreigners. This is different from other Islamic countries, which have a combination of Islamic and other judiciary systems.The forensic medicine centers in KSA are related administratively to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its subdivisions in the different governorates. They are concerned with forensic medical examination and autopsy, as well as the clinical forensic medical examination of sexual assault cases, and those injured in civil and criminal cases. The assisting laboratories (forensic histopathology, microbiology, serology, forensic chemistry) are working independently under the funding of MOH, whereas the DNA laboratory and other departments of forensic sciences, for example, counterfeiting and forgery unit are related administratively to the Ministry of Interior represented by the Administration of Criminal Evidences. Efforts concerning crime scene investigations are shared with Administration of Criminal Evidences' crime scene investigators.Forensic medicine education in KSA developed in the past few years after the foundation of Saudi specialty certificate in forensic medicine. The certificate is a postgraduation qualification equivalent to a doctorate degree in forensic medicine and requires completion of a 4-year training program in both MOH- and Ministry of Interior-related departments, as well as passing annual evaluation and examination.This review is aimed at providing in the next decade the medicolegal centers with national forensic specialists throughout the kingdom and granting skillful headships for the next generations. Moreover, this review suggests more scientific associations with the academic universities in the various fields of forensic sciences through academic cooperation.
authors: Forensic Medicine Center, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Osama Mohamed
authors: OM
authors: Al Madani
authors: Magdy Abdel Azim
authors: MA
authors: Kharoshah
authors: Mamdouh Kamal
authors: MK
authors: Zaki
authors: Sherien Salah
authors: SS
authors: Galeb
authors: Salah Ali
authors: SA
authors: Al Moghannam
authors: Ashraf Abdul Raheem
authors: AA
authors: Moulana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001344:Autopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002423:Cause of Death; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration; D008503:Medical Staff; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009740:Nursing Staff; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D016526:Workload