Medical jurisprudence

Not to be confused with Medical law.

Medical jurisprudence, or forensic medicine in the broad sense now embraces all matters which may bring the physician into contact with the law. The specific sense of identifying causes of death is a matter of forensic pathology.

Scope

Medical jurisprudence includes:

1. questions of the legal and ethical duties of physicians;
2. questions affecting the civil rights of individuals with respect to medicine; and
3. medicolegal assessment of injuries to the person.

Under the second heading there are many aspects, including (but not limited to):

• (a) questions of competence or sanity in civil or criminal prceedings;
• (b) questions of competence of minors in matters affecting their own health; and
• (c) questions of lawful fitness or safety to drive a motor vehicle, pilot an aeroplane, use scuba gear, play certain sports, or to join certain occupations.

Under the third heading, there are also many aspects, including (but not limited to):

• (a) assessment of illness or injuries that may be work-related (see workers' compensation or occupational safety and health) or otherwise compensable;
• (b) assessment of injuries of minors that may relate to neglect or abuse; and
• (c) certification of death or else the assessment of possible causes of death — this is the incorrect, narrow meaning of forensic medicine as commonly understood.

History (UK academia)

Medical jurisprudence had a chair founded at the University of Edinburgh in 1807, first occupied by Andrew Duncan, the younger. It was imposed on the university by the administration of Charles James Fox, and in particular Henry Erskine working with Andrew Duncan, the elder.

See also

• Forensic medicine