Students need training in practical forensics: Experts

The forensic medicine curriculum taught to medical students has to be revamped if medico-legal work, particularly in the case of sexual assault victims, is to improve, say experts.

Dr Indrajit Khandekar, assistant professor, forensic medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, has submitted a detailed report to the Union health ministry and the Medical Council of India on the lack of training of medical students which leads to poor quality of medico-legal work. He looked into 542 verdicts where medical evidence was taken to understand this problem.

On the basis of his report on loopholes in the procedure for recording evidence in cases of sexual assault, a public interest litigation was filed before the Bombay high court where the state finally submitted a detailed pro formas which covers almost all aspects in such cases.

At the graduate level, forensic medicine is taught as a subject in the second year. “The students are only taught this subject in theory and there is no provision for practical training. The basic aim of providing health care completely ignores the legal system,” said Dr Khandekar.

“The gynaecologists in particular should be trained in this aspect of their work. In areas where there are no forensic medicine doctors, an MBBS doctor or gynecologist gets the patient first. They are not aware of what is to be done and at what temperature the samples have to be stored. They should also be trained on how to depose in court,” said Dr Shailesh Mohite, head of forensic medicine at BYL Nair Hospital.

Dr Khandekar pointed out shortcomings in the recording of dying declaration, sexual violence examination, injury report preparation, informing cases to the police, age estimation, alcohol examination, weapon examination, and burn and dowry death cases.