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Is there any difference between forensic science and forensic medicine?
Forensic science refers to the investigation of evidences, provided in samples, from a crime site. The process is used in law to identify criminals. Forensic medicine, on the other hand, refers to the examination of dead bodies and analysing evidence to ascertain the cause of death and the state of the vital organs.
How accurate is forensic medicine?
Accuracy depends on how much time has lapsed since the time of death. It gets difficult to reach an accurate conclusion if the body is brought in late. It is also important to know the actual reason of death, failing which, the exact cause of death remains undetected. Accuracy is also compromised if the necessary equipment is not available. If the whole procedure is carried out with precision, the results are usually 98 to 100 per cent accurate.
Are hospitals and colleges
in the state adequately equipped to carry out forensic research?
No, in fact there is an acute shortage of technical equipment and expertise for any kind of forensic research and analysis. Very few hospitals in the country have adequate facilities. When it comes to the city, we can safely say that there are no definite facilities available. In colleges, students only have the teaching staff to guide them and no technical experts. The government, however, is not totally blind to these problems. They are trying to provide us with the necessary infrastructure.
Where do medical colleges get the bodies for students to do their practicals?
Bodies that are used are often of victims of murder or those who died due to unnatural reasons. The number of bodies brought in are certainly not adequate as one body can be used only once to ascertain the cause of death. So, it gets difficult for colleges to arrange for bodies.
Shalini Sen
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