NCJ Number
59059
Journal
FORENSIC SCIENCE Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1977) Pages: 77-79
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
SWEDEN HAS BOTH ACADEMIC AND STATE INSTITUTES OF FORENSIC MEDICINE EXISTING SIDE BY SIDE. LABORATORIES DEVOTED TO CRIMINALISTICS ARE RUN BY BOTH THE BOARD OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE POLICE FORCE.
Abstract
THE THREE ACADEMIC INSTITUTES OF LEGAL MEDICINE ARE LOCATED IN STOCKHOLM, UPPSALA, AND LUND; ALL ARE FINANCED BY THE UNIVERSITIES TO WHICH THEY ARE ATTACHED. THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH AND WELFARE FUNDS PARALLEL FACILITIES IN THESE THREE CITIES PLUS INSTITUTES IN LINKOPING, GOTHENBURG, AND UMEAN. THE UNIVERSITIES NOT ONLY PERFORM AUTOPSIES BUT ALSO DO TOXICOLOGY STUDIES AND PROVIDE CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS IN CASES OF INJURY AND SEX OFFENSES. THE GOVERNMENT CENTERS PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES. CRITICS CHARGE THIS SYSTEM IS SUPERFLUOUS, AND SOME EXPERTS HAVE RECOMMENDED UNIFICATION. ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF DEATHS RECEIVE MEDICOLEGAL EXAMINATION AND 75 PERCENT OF THESE HAVE A FULL AUTOPSY. MOST OF THE DECISION TO PERFORM AN AUTOPSY RESTS WITH THE POLICE. THERE IS NO WAY ATTORNEYS CAN USE THE RESOURCES OF THE INSTITUTES DIRECTLY, BUT THEY MAY REQUEST A STATEMENT THROUGH THE COURT. A MAJOR PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN DEATH AND AUTOPSY, SOMETIMES 5 TO 10 DAYS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE DOCTOR HAVE MORE AUTHORITY IN ORDERING AN AUTOPSY. EXPERTS ALSO FEEL THE COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE AN INDEPENDENT COUNCIL OF LEGAL MEDICINE SIMILAR TO THAT IN DENMARK TO DEFINE MORE CLEARLY FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN CASES GOING TO COURT. AT PRESENT THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE ACTS AS A CENTRAL ADVISORY BODY FOR MEDICOLEGAL PROBLEMS. (GLR)