NCJ Number
57548
Journal
FORENSIC SCIENCE Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (JULY/AUGUST 1977) Pages: 5-8
Editor(s)
J VOIGT
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
LEGAL MEDICINE IS A REQUIRED COURSE FOR ALL UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN BELGIUM BECAUSE ANY PHYSICIAN MAY HAVE TO PERFORM FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS. UNIVERSITY AND POLICE CRIME LABORATORIES HANDLE SPECIAL ANALYSES.
Abstract
THERE ARE INSTITUTES OF LEGAL MEDICINE IN THE STATE UNIVERSITIES OF LIEGE AND GRENT, THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF BRUSSELS, AND THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF LOUVAIN. ALL ARE HEADED BY A PROFESSOR WHO IS ALSO IN CHARGE OF THE LEGAL MEDICINE INSTRUCTION. THE TOTAL STAFF IS ABOUT 20 PHYSICIANS. THE SERVICES OF THESE CENTERS ARE AVAILABLE TO BOTH THE PROSECUTION AND THE DEFENSE, WHO PAY THE UNIVERSITY. THE STAFF HANDLES MEDICO-LEGAL PATHOLOGY, SEROLOGY (GENERALLY BLOOD STAINS AND SEMINAL STAINS), EXAMINATION OF HAIRS AND FIBERS, EXAMINATIONS FOLLOWING ACCIDENTS, ESTIMATES OF ALCOHOL IN CONNECTION WITH ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, AND CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS IN DRUNKENNESS AND SEX OFFENSES. PURELY CRIMINALISTICS INVESTIGATIONS ARE HANDLED BY THE LABORATORIES OF THE POLICE JUDICIARY AND THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CRIMINALISTICS. IN BELGIUM CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS ARE HANDLED BY TWO JUDGES: THE PROCUREUR DU ROI, AN AGENT OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER ATTACHED TO THE COURT, AND THE JUGE D'INSTRUCTION, AN EXAMINING JUDGE WHO IS COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER. THE PROCUREUR DU ROI MAY ASK FOR A FORENSIC INVESTIGATION BUT THE JUGE D'INSTRUCTION MUST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ACTUAL AUTOPSY AND USUALLY ENTRUSTS THE JOB TO A LOCAL PHYSICIAN. THIS DIVISION OF AUTHORITY HELPS ACCOUNT FOR BELGIUM'S LOW AUTOPSY RATE (ABOUT 1,000 YEARLY IN A POPULATION OF 10,000,000). DISCRETE INQUIRY IS THE RULE IN UNATTENDED DEATHS, AND AUTOPSIES ARE PERFORMED ONLY IF A CRIME IS DEFINITELY INDICATED. THE COUNTRY'S MEDICO-LEGAL EXPERTS FEEL THE SYSTEM IS NOT THOROUGH ENOUGH AND ARE WORKING FOR CHANGE. (GLR)