Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

The Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology familiarises students with the legal and ethical responsibilities attached to healthcare practice. It deals with medico-legal procedure, medical evidence, identification, examination of injuries, death and post-mortem changes, sexual offences, professional negligence, consent, confidentiality and the duties of a registered practitioner. Toxicology includes general principles of poisoning, routes of exposure, clinical features, first response, preservation of evidence and major groups of poisons. Teaching is oriented toward recognition, documentation and timely referral rather than independent forensic certification beyond competence. Students learn that accurate records, respect for law, patient dignity and early emergency action are essential in all healthcare settings, including naturopathy hospitals and clinics.

Students Learning Outcomes

✔ Being taught the medico-legal duties of a healthcare practitioner
✔ Document injuries and relevant findings objectively and accurately
✔ Recognise suspected poisoning and initiate appropriate emergency referral
✔ Apply consent, confidentiality and professional-ethics principles