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Last Modified: Friday 17 January 2025.
Forensic Medicine
- Introduction
- Vision, Mission & Objective
- Organisation Chart
- Services
- Client Charter
- Related Information
Introduction
Forensic medicine refers to the application of medical knowledge in resolving medico-legal cases. The main function of the field is to conduct post-mortem examinations on bodies brought in by the police to determine the cause of death. A medico-legal autopsy can only be performed in a Government hospital by a fully registered Government Medical Officer according to Section 330 Criminal Procedure Code.
Current policy and court precedence requires a Forensic Specialist to perform autopsies for homicide cases, for deaths in suspicious circumstances and in major disasters as well as deaths in custody and in high-risk autopsies.
After conducting the post-mortem examination, the Forensic Medicine Specialist will produce an autopsy report based on the autopsy finding, histopathological examination, and the laboratory analyses.
Other unique skills required from a Forensic Medicine specialist are examining skeletal remains (Forensic Anthropology), and conducting a Clinical Forensic examination on living detainees or suspects and victims of crimes. In addition to that, Forensic Medicine specialists are also well trained in managing mass fatality incident, crime scene or death scene examination, and high risk autopsies.
They will also be required to present themselves in court to provide expert testimony based on the reports produced.
Vision
The Department will strive to be the centre of excellence in the field of forensic medicine through the provision of efficient, effective and professional forensic medicine services in accordance with Malaysian law as well as fulfilling the Quality Management system which focuses on consumers’ priorities.
Mission
The Department will ensure that quality forensic medicine services are provided:
1) through personnel who are knowledgeable, skilled and sensitive towards consumers’ needs.
2) based on a corporate culture of caring, teamwork and professionalism.
3) bound within the Malaysian legal system.
Objective
1) To provide independent and impartial forensic medical services that meets the requirement of the Malaysian legal system.
2) To provide efficient dead body management services that fulfil customer needs.
3) To conduct professional, efficient and effective examination of forensic medical cases.
4) To provide consulting services in the management of forensic medical cases.
5) To manage forensic tissue specimens and maintain the chain of evidence (preservation of chain of custody) of the specimen while in custody.
6) To ensure that the preparation of forensic medical reports, the handling of forensic medical report applications and the storage of forensic records are managed effectively and systematically.
7) To build on knowledge and skills through Continuous Medical Education and training.
8) To conduct research and development in the field of forensic medicine to improve service quality.
Organisation Chart
Services
1. Receiving of body from within the hospital.
2. Receiving of body from outside the hospital.
3. Body storage.
4. Medico-legal autopsy.
5. Handling of medico-legal autopsy specimens.
6. Body release.
7. Unclaimed body disposal.
8. Handling of forensic medical reports and record.
9. Clinical forensic case management.
10. Search and verify death information.
Client Charter
1) All client will be treated professionally, sincerely, cordially and attentively.
2) Provide 24 hours service of dead body management and forensic clinical cases.
3) Body releasing process to the next of kin will be carried out in accordance with the departmental procedure.
4) Every forensic medicine examination will be conducted in accordance with the departmental procedure.
5) Every medico-legal specimen will be handled in accordance with the departmental procedure.
6) Management of forensic medical reports will be carried out in accordance with the departmental procedure.
7) Every information and data of forensic medicine cases will be managed with utmost confidentiality.
Clinical Support