What is medical jurisprudence?

What is medical jurisprudence?

Medical Jurisprudence
Medical jurisprudence also commonly known as forensic medicine and legal medicine .In plain words It can be said that to be associated with detection of violent crimes. That means it is branch of  science which uses principal of science for purpose of law.So medical jurisprudence or forensic science is application of scientific principal's to civil and criminal law to advance justice. For example opinion of hand writing expert's,Opinion regarding injury and weapon used to cause such injury, postmortem report and opinion regarding time of death are example of forensic science in field of law.

Medical Jurisprudence and Andrew Ducan(1744-1828)

Credit for systematic growth of medical science is given to Andrew Ducan who was professor of institute of medicine at the university of Edinburgh who also persuaded government to establish medical police .

Medical Jurisprudence and it's development in India.

Medical Jurisprudence has its roots in India from very Ancient times . Books like Navbharat and Madhav akar written in seventh century AD had described various medical related topics which were applicable to law.

Kautilya 's Arthashastra has always been seen as landmark in work of medical science in Ancient India.It states different ways how death can be caused. And symptoms found which work as evidence to establish how death is caused. It states that death can be caused by in following ways:

1. Stoping the breathing -by following ways

strangling,hanging,asphyxiation or drowning

2.Physical injury- either by beating or throwing from height

3. Poisoning-poisoning  by insect bite or with some kind of drugs

It also gives the symptoms as forensic evidence for establishing the cause of death. Which are still relevant in purview of modern medical jurisprudence.

Symptoms:

Strangling - urine thrown out ,skin and abdomen inflated with wind,swollen hand and feats ,eyes open marks on the throat.

Hanging- In addition to symptoms of strangling there is contraction of arms and thighs.

Asphyxiation- Swollen hands feet and abdomen,sunken eyes inflated navel.

Drowning- protruding eyes or anus,bitten tongue,swollen abdomen.

Beaten to death-  Body covered in blood, Broken or dislocated limbs.

Thrown from height- limbs shattered and burst

Poisoning - Dark hands,feet,teeth or nails;loose flesh or skin ,foamy mouth.

Insect bite- All symptoms of poisoning with bloody bite mark.

Above mentioned symptoms are still relevant in modern science and are very important for gaining understanding about medical Jurisprudence and how it works.

Medical Jurisprudence and British India.

During British period also Medical jurisprudence saw it's growth and significance in field of law.

"Dr Edward Bulkley " In 1695 issued first wound certificate after a incident of brawl when lieutenant Seaton in a brawl injured a Napoleon soldiers arm.In the wound certificate he stated it was not dangerous.

During British period medical jurisprudence and it's significance was seen in brighter light. With establishment of medical institute at kolkata there was significant improvement in field of medical jurisprudence.

Medical jurisprudence and Independent India.

With establishment of "The Indian Academy Of Forensic Science "established in kolkata in 1961 and "Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine" (IAFM) in 1972 at Panjim Goa teaching of forensic science has improved significantly.


Also Read | Homeopathy in Times of Covid-19(Corona Virus) |Ancient-indian-methods-to-fight-covid-19.

Medical Jurisprudence and Practical Scenario

In practical scenario medical jurisprudence@forensic science  is very important in civil and criminal justice system.From handwriting experts opinion regarding documentary evidence to medical evidence in criminal cases of injury,death and etc Medical Jurisprudence is very significant.

Criminal Lawyers have to be very equipped with knowledge of  medical jurisprudence . Knowledge of medical jurisprudence helps in cross examination of medical evidence.

A word from Bharata Law

Medical Jurisprudence or forensic science is very important aspect of our judicial system .It is a scientific approach to legal issue's.It could be safely said our justice system would have been incomplete with out Medical Jurisprudence .Growth in field of Medical Jurisprudence is directly related to better legal system.