ABSTRACT
Medical evidence is a vital component of legal proceedings, being a key tool for the determination of facts in both criminal and civil cases. Forensic medicine, being a specialized field of medical science, facilitates the interpretation and presentation of medical evidence within the legal context to ensure accuracy and objectivity in judicial verdicts. This paper discusses the relevance of medical evidence in court cases, highlighting its application in deciding liability, cause of death, claims for personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal inquiries.
The inclusion of forensic medicine in health law guarantees that medical evidence is admissible, accurate, and valid in law. Forensic professionals, such as pathologists, toxicologists, and forensic psychiatrists, present essential opinions to enable courts to make informed decisions. Nonetheless, the application of medical evidence is fraught with several legal, ethical, and procedural issues. The admissibility of forensic reports, patient confidentiality, informed consent in forensic testing, and bias in expert testimony are some of the major concerns in legal cases. Standardization and quality control of forensic practice are also some of the main challenges in the delivery of justice and avoiding wrongful convictions.
The purpose of this research is to examine the role of forensic medicine in courts of law, scrutinize the problems of employing medical evidence, and make recommendations to enhance forensic medical practice in the justice system. Through an analysis of case laws, statutory provisions, and forensic techniques, this paper endeavours to identify the changing role of forensic medicine in health law and legal accountability as well as its influence on public health policy
Keywords: Medical Evidence, Forensic Medicine, Health Law, Legal Proceedings, Criminal Cases, Civil Cases, Forensic Pathology.
INTRODUCTION
Medical evidence plays a pivotal role in legal proceedings by providing scientific and objective information that aids in the administration of justice. It encompasses a wide range of medical data, including clinical records, autopsy reports, forensic toxicology results, and expert medical opinions. Forensic medicine, a specialized branch of medical science, applies medical knowledge to legal cases, ensuring that medical findings are interpreted accurately and presented in a legally admissible manner. It serves as a crucial interface between law and medicine, assisting courts in resolving disputes related to personal injury, medical negligence, cause of death, and criminal acts such as homicide, sexual assault, and substance abuse.
The significance of medical evidence in legal proceedings extends to both civil and criminal cases. In civil litigation, forensic medical reports are used in cases involving medical malpractice, insurance claims, and workplace injuries. In criminal cases, forensic medicine aids in crime scene investigation, determination of cause of death, and assessment of bodily injuries. The credibility and reliability of forensic evidence often influence legal outcomes, making it essential for courts to rely on well-documented and scientifically validated medical findings. However, the integration of medical evidence into legal frameworks presents various challenges, including issues related to admissibility, ethical considerations, and procedural inconsistencies.
Forensic medicine contributes significantly to the Indian legal system by helping investigate and adjudicate civil and criminal cases. Forensic medicine offers scientific and medical expertise to enable courts to determine facts concerning injuries, death, sexual offenses, medical negligence, and issues relating to toxicology. In criminal cases, forensic medicine plays a critical role in performing post-mortem examinations to ascertain the cause, time, and manner of death—either natural, homicidal, suicidal, or accidental. It further assists in injury examination to identify the type of weapon utilized in assault, homicide, or domestic violence cases. In sexual offenses, especially under Sections 375 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), collection of forensic evidence is regulated by Section 164A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Forensic toxicology is also important in the investigation of cases of poisoning, drugs, and chemical residues in suspicious deaths.
Forensic medicine plays a crucial role in medical negligence cases in civil cases, where a doctor’s conduct is tested under the law of tort and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. DNA profiling is extensively applied in cases of paternity disputes under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, and maintenance cases under Section 125 of the CrPC. Forensic determination of age becomes essential in Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, cases as well as in child labor law cases. Forensic testing also plays an important role in cases of insurance and compensation by helping to identify disability, reason for injury, or reason for death for awarding compensation.
A number of provisions in law regulate forensic medicine in India. Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Sections 45-51) prescribes the admissibility of forensic expert opinions under court. CrPC, 1973 (Sections 53, 54, and 164A) enacts provisions for the examination of accused individuals and victims under criminal cases. IPC, 1860 (Sections 299-304 and 320-326) regulates and determines injury by defining homicide and grievous hurt. Further, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, controls forensic toxicology and drug investigation. The incorporation of forensic medicine into the Indian legal system makes sure that medical evidence is used efficiently in the quest for justice, making it more important in criminal as well as civil cases.