NCJ Number
57549
Journal
FORENSIC SCIENCE Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (JULY/AUGUST 1977) Pages: 9-12
Editor(s)
J VOIGT
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
IN DENMARK, LEGAL MEDICINE IS THE SOLE MONOPOLY OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTES, KNOWN FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE; HOWEVER, PURE FORENSIC SCIENCE AND CRIMINALISTICS ARE HANDLED BY SEPARATE POLICE LABORATORIES.
Abstract
THE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTES AT COPENHAGEN, ARHUS, AND ODENSE GENERALLY HANDLE FORENSIC PATHOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY, SEROLOGY (ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF DISPUTED PATERNITY), CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR DRUNKENNESS AND SEX OFFENSES, ETC. THE POLICE LABORATORIES DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL STAFF AND DO NOT HANDLE ANY MEDICAL OR BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. TRAINING IN FORENSIC MEDICINE IS COMPULSORY FOR UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS, BUT THESE COURSES GENERALLY FOCUS ON THE PHYSICIAN'S RELATION WITH THE STATE AND ITS LAWS. A DOCTOR WHO WISHES TO BECOME A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WORKS AS A JUNIOR ASSISTANT AT ONE OF THE INSTITUTES. THERE IS ALSO SPECIAL TRAINING IN FORENSIC MEDICINE FOR MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICERS, COMMUNITY PHYSICIANS WHO FUNCTION AS A TYPE OF POLICE SURGEON AND WHO, AMONG OTHERS DUTIES, ATTEND DEATHS AND DECIDE IF A MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED. THE SERVICES OF THE INSTITUTE LABORATORIES ARE GENERALLY AVAILABLE ONLY TO THE PROSECUTION, ALTHOUGH THE DEFENSE MAY ASK FOR AN ANALYSIS THROUGH THE COURT. A WELL-KNOWN FEATURE OF DANISH LEGAL MEDICINE IS THE MEDICOLEGAL COUNCIL, WHICH IS AN OFFICIAL COMMITTEE WHOSE MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE CROWN THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF DEATHS HAVE SOME FORM OF MEDICOLEGAL EXAMINATION, WITH ABOUT 20 TO 25 PERCENT OF THESE SUBJECTED TO FULL AUTOPSY. SINCE THE POLICE DETERMINE WHEN AN AUTOPSY IS NECESSARY, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GATHER DATA WHEN THE INTEREST IS MEDICAL RATHER THAN CRIMINAL. LEGISLATION TO ALLOW MORE MEDICALLY ORIENTED AUTOPSIES HAS BEEN INTRODUCED. (GLR)