Department of Forensic medicine
Faculty
Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq (HOD)
Dr. Asim Zia (AP)
Introduction
It is the mission of the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology to provide quality education, advanced scientific analysis, and innovative examination methods to the medical students for the promotion of truth and justice in our community, state, and nation.
Mission
It is the mission of the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology to provide quality education, advanced scientific analysis, and innovative examination methods to the medical students for the promotion of truth and justice in our community, state, and nation.
Vision
Our vision is to inspire medical students to search for the truth through science and shape the future of the field using new knowledge and innovation. To become the center of excellence through incorporating new scientific innovations and reshape the entire medical-legal justice system to meet the requirements of dynamic Forensic sciences.
Course Description
This course introduces the concepts of application of medical knowledge for the legal purposes and the legal aspects of practicing medicine to the undergraduate medical students along with the ethical and moral issues regarding interactions with the patient, victim and dead bodies for examinations. Specific topics address the Laws of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the international laws a doctor comes across while working both as a medico-legal officer or a medical officer/ clinician.
The course is divided into modules/ chapters which will cover the specific topics in detail and will be taught through the entire 3rd year of the 5 years M.B.B.S program. Every module will be assessed on the basis of knowledge, skill and attitude throughout the academic year by the help of different assessment methods for example but not limited to MCQs, SEQs, OSPE, Viva, class assignments and case studies.
The curriculum of the this course is specifically designed in line with the guidelines issued by the PMDC and the affiliated University of Health Sciences and with the societal and legal needs of the country.
Course Objectives
At the end of this year a student should be able to;
- Recognize the basic principles of forensic practice and laws governing them.
- Recognize the jurisdictions and the role of the doctor in the criminal justice system of Pakistan.
- Independently classify, differentiate and interpret the injuries and signs of trauma in the living human beings and dead bodies on examination.
- Execute the complete medico-legal and postmortem examination.
- Produce a comprehensive report of the examination performed.
- Interpret the findings of the examination in front of the relevant authorities (Court of Law)
- Classify different types of trace evidences, biological and non-biological evidences.
- Collect, package and dispatch of all the biological and non-biological specimens and trace evidences to the relevant authorities
- Classify all the poisons commonly used in domestic, commercial and industrial setups and their effects on the human body and methods to detect their presence in the biological specimens.
- Demonstrate commitment towards helping the criminal justice system.
- Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.
- Demonstrate respect for the victims, the dead and the bereaved.Â
Policies
The course Syllabus may be modified at the discretion of the Head of department to accommodate the changes that normally take place throughout the academic year. Students will be notified each time a change to the Course Syllabus is required. Some topics might be assigned as independent study. Students will be notified when a topic is assigned as independent study.
As per UHS annual exam policy, 80% attendance and 50% internal assessment is required to qualify to sit in the annual examination held by the University. Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology strictly comply with the university’s policy.
Credit Hours
100 Learning Hours are dedicated for Forensic Medicine & Toxicology in 3rs Year MBBS
As per ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) 25 Learning/ Student hours are equal to 1 Credit Hour.
Total Credit Hour of the Course = 5 Credit Hours
Teaching Strategy
Teaching comprises of both Theoretical and practical aspects.
Theoretical aspects comprises of both LGD using PowerPoint presentations by the lecturer in the lecture halls and SGD in batches in the departments tutorial room.
3 Lectures (LGD) Per week
1 Tutorial (SGD) Per week
Practical aspects comprises of Laboratory sessions in the departmental laboratory and Autopsy and Medico-legal centers (Government approved tertiary care centers)
1 Laboratory Session Per Week
Autopsy Observatory Classes 2 Weeks, 5 hours per day, Per Session
Medico-legal examination Observatory Classes 2 Weeks, 5 hours per day, Per Session
Wide range of teaching methodologies are used in both theoretical and practical classes during the entire session that includes Power point Presentations, question and answer sessions, class presentations, class assignments.
Assessments
- Minimum attendance, satisfactory completion of the practical book and overall 50% score in the summative examinations during the entire session is required for a student to be eligible for UHS Certifying Examination (Annual Professional Examination)
- The assessment techniques / tools assess the objectives, the level of the learner and the tested domains.
- Formative and Summative Assessment: The same tools may be used for formative or summative assessment. Formative Assessments will be used only for feedback to develop the learners, while Summative Assessments will be used to make pass/fail or progress decisions). Any assessment where the results contribute to a final score, which leads to a decision of the progress of the student, must be considered summative.
- Feedback to the students would be provided after both formative and summative assessments.
- Summative Assessment consists of the sum of the Continuous Assessment score (Internal assessment based on assessment of student performance during the session) and end of year University Examination.
- Students who pass all term tests can sit in the University Examination.
- Remediation and Re-sit Examinations. There should be opportunities for remediation and re-sit examinations for the summative component of continuous assessment and end-of year assessments.
- University Examinations will be held at the end of each academic year.
