Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Legal Medicine
Legal Medicine
Legal Medicine
- Is that branch of medicine that applies, medical
and surgical concepts, scientific knowledge and
skills to medico legal issues, in order to assist the
trier of facts in the proper dispensation of justice.
Medical Jurisprudence
- is the study of the Medical Law and its applicable
Jurisprudence that governs, regulates and
defines the practice of medicine.
2. Criminal Law
- Felonies and circumstances which affect criminal
liability
- Civil liability ex delictu
- Crimes relative to opium and prohibited drugs
- Crimes against persons
- Crimes against chastity
- Crimes against civil status of persons
- Quasi offenses
3. Remedial Law
- Physical and Mental Examination of a person
- Hospitalization of insane persons
- Rules of Evidence
4. Special Laws
- Dangerous Drug Act
- Youth and Child Welfare Code
- Sanitation Code
- Insurance law
- Labor Code
- Employees Compensation Law
5. CORPUS DELICTI
- Is the body or substance of the crime and
is defined as the fact that a crime actually has been
committed. In all criminal prosecutions, the burden is
on the prosecution to prove the corpus delicti.
QUANTUM OF PROOF
1. In Civil Cases the quantum of proof necessary to
prove a civil complaint is a PREPONDERANCE OF
EVIDENCE. The party filing or bringing a civil
complaint has the burden of proof and must establish
the truth and righteousness of his allegations by a
preponderance of the evidence admitted by a
competent court.
2. In Criminal Cases
the quantum is proof beyond reasonable doubt.
- In a criminal case the accused is entitled to an
acquittal, unless his guilt is shown beyond
reasonable doubt
- Presumption of INNOCENCE is a conclusion
drawn by the constitution and the law in favor of
the accused , while REASONABLE DOUBT, is a
condition of mind produced by proof resulting
from evidence in the case.
BRAIN DEATH
- This kind of death follows clinical death almost
immediately unless resuscitative procedures are
started promptly, because the human brain under
normal conditions cannot survive loss of oxygen
for more than 6 to 10 minutes.
- Brain Death may occur in the
Stage 1 Cerebral Cortex- the highest center of
the brain that is most sensitive to changes in the
supply of oxygen and blood to the brain. When
the cerebral cortex dies, the patient is in cortical
death.
CELLULAR DEATH:
- The death of the different parts of the body
occurs at different times and stages.
- This is the reason why such organs as the
corneas and the kidneys can be removed
immediately after biological death and
transplanted successfully.
SIGNS OF DEATH:
1. Cessation of heart action and circulation
2. Cessation of respiration
3. Cooling of the body ( Algor Mortis )
- The temperature of 15 20 degrees
Fahrenheit is considered as a certain sign of death.
4. Loss of motor power
5. Loss of sensory power
6. Changes in the skin
7. Changes in and about the eye
- There is loss of corneal reflex
4. Abdomen
Types of Injuries:
a. Penetrating
- Gunshot wounds of the abdomen carry
95% probability of significant visceral injury
- A bullet when it hits the abdomen will
penetrate the abdominal wall, enter the
abdominal cavity and most likely injure more
than one organ.
- The incidence of abdominal injury is
strikingly higher in gunshot wounds than in
stab wounds.
- The major cause of death is hemorrhage
and this occurs within the first 24 hours
- In stab wounds of the abdomen , only 2/3
penetrate the peritoneal cavity; of these only
cause significant visceral injury that
requires surgical repair.
b. Blunt
- The spleen and liver are the most
commonly injured organs due to blunt
trauma.
- Their frequent incidence also explains why
the mortality rate following blunt trauma is
higher than that of penetrating injury.
EUTHANASIA
- Meaning good death ( well or good )
- Refers to the practice of ending life in a painless
manner.
- Deliberate intervention undertaken with the
express intention of ending life, to relieve
intractable suffering
Classification of Euthanasia:
1. Voluntary euthanasia is euthanasia conducted with consent
2. Involuntary euthanasia
is euthanasia conducted without consent.
-is conducted where an individual makes a decision for another
person incapable of doing so.
- also known as physician assisted death, physician assisted
suicide or mercy killing.
3. Passive euthanasia entails withholding of common
treatments
4. Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or
forces to end life and is the most controversial means.
6. Urologic
- Hematuria following trauma
- Blunt kidney injury is usually due to motor
vehicular accidents which account for 70
90 % of kidney trauma.
- Penile injury:
The erect penis is usually 6 8 inches long
and 1 -2 inches in diameter.
- Avulsion of the prepuce this may follow
accidents where the foreskin called prepuce
is detached or lacerated by a blunt force.
- Fracture of the penis this is the traumatic
rupture of the corpora cavernosa penis
resulting from a forceful trauma to the
flaccid organ.
- Amputated penis the penis of an avid
womanizer is sometimes intentionally cut or
amputated by a jealous derange wife or
lover.
SPECIFIC INJURIES
1. Head
a. Types of Head Injuries:
a.1 Hematoma
a.2 Contusions
a.3 Skull fractures
a.4 Hemorrhage
2. Spine and Spinal Cord Injuries
The most common causes of severe spinal trauma
are motor vehicular accidents, falls, diving accidents, and
gunshot wounds.
3. Chest
a. Life Threatening Injuries
Pnumothorax
Hemothorax
Flail chest as in multiple rib fractures
Cardiac tamponade due to penetrating
injuries
b. Potentially Lethal Injuries
b.1. Pulmonary Contussion with or without
flail chest
b.2. Thoracic Aortic Tear or Rupture the
most common cause of sudden death after
a vehicular accident or fall ( major
decelaration injury )
c. Serious Chest Injuries
7. Arterial trauma
8. Burns
CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS
1.
AS TO LEGAL CLASSIFICATION
Chapter 1
DESTRUCTION OF LIFE
a. Article 246. Parricide
b. Article 247. Death or Physical Injuries Inflicted Under
Exceptional Circumstances
c. Article 248. MURDER
- Any person who, not falling within the provisions of
Article 246 shall kill another, shall be guilty of murder and shall
Classification of Wounds
3. AS TO MORTALITY
a. Deadly Wound- Death results immediately, after the infliction
of the wound. Deadly wounds though mortal, maybe prevented
with prompt medical treatment.
Classification of Wounds:
4. AS TO THE WOUNDING INSTRUMENTS USED:
a. Sharp Instruments Ex. incised wound, punctured wound,
stab wound dagger or kitchen knife
b. Blunt Instruments A block of wood or iron produces
contusion, hematoma, abrasions, lacerated wound when used
to strike, attack, wound, beat or assault another
Classification of Wounds:
5. AS TO THE CONSEQUENTIAL INJURY AFTER THE
APPLOCATION OF FORCE
a. Coup Injury b. Coup Centre Coup Injury
c. Contre Coup Injury
d. Locus Minoris resistancia
e. Extensive injury
CHAPTER 2
PHYSICAL INJURIES
a. Article 262. Mutilation Any person who shall intentionally
mutilate another by depriving him, either totally or partially , of
some essential organ of reproduction.
b. Article 263. Serious Physical Injuries Any person who shall
wound, beat, or assault another, shall be guilty of the crime of
serious physical injuries
c. Article 264. Administering Injurious Substances or Beverages
d. Article 265. Less Serious Physical Injuries Any person who
shall inflict upon another physical injuries which shall
incapacitate the offended party for labor for 10 days or more, or
shall require medical attendance for the same period
e. Article 266. Slight Physical Injuries and Maltreatment.
- When the offender has inflicted physical injuries which shall
incapacitate the offended party for labor from one to nine days,
or shall require medical attendance during the same period.
Classification of Wounds:
6. AS TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE SKIN
A. CLOSED WOUNDS Presents no break in the integrity or
continuity of the skin. There maybe only outward manifestations
of injury internally.
Ex. of closed wounds:
1. petechiae a circumscribe extravasation of blood in the
subcutaneous tissue.
2. contusion effusion of blood into the tissues underneath the
skin as a result of a blunt force. Ex. black eye
3. Hematoma
4. Blunt injury
5. Musculoskeletal injuries
Ex. Sprain, Dislocation, Fracture, Strain
b.1 Penetrating the wound enters the body but does not come
out. Punctured, stab and gunshot wounds usually belong to this
type of wound.
THE
CUSTODY AND
DISPOSITION
OF
CONFISCATED, SEIZED AND OR SURRENDERED
DANGEROUS DRUGS, PLANT SOURCES OF
DANGEROUS
DRUGS,
CONTROLLES
PRECURSORS AND ESSENTIAL CHEMICALS,
INSTRUMENTS AND PARAPHERNALIA AND OR
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT The PDEA shall take
charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs, plant
sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors
and essential chemicals, as well as Instruments
paraphernalia and laboratory equipment so
confiscated, seized and or surrendered, for proper
disposition in the following manner ( Refer to Book ).
OF
A.Hypnotics:
Opiates and Their Derivatives Opium is obtained
from the milky exudates of the unripe seed capsules
of the poppy plant, Papaver Sornoiferum.
Derivatives of opium commonly used are morphine,
heroin, and codeine.
Its synthetic preparation are Demerol and Methadone.
Narcotics that have a legitimate medical used as
powerful pain relievers are called Opioids, and include
codeine, oxycodone, meperidine, morphine and
hydromorphone.
OR
PSYCHOMIMETIC
2. Sado masochism
a. Sadism
b. Masochism
3. Fetishism
a. Anatomic
b. Clothing
D.STIMULANTS:
Amphetamines methamphetamines ( Shabu,
speed ); methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA,
ecstasy or Adam )
- Acts on the cerebral cortex causing alertness,
excessive self confidence and feeling of well
being. Physical performance may to some
degree temporarily improve.
.
c. Necrophilic
d. Odor ( ospresiophilia )
Kinds of Ospresiophilia
1. Urolagnia
2. Coprolagnia
3. Mysophilia
a. Narcissism
b. Saboteur Fetish
c. Vampirism
Untoward Effects:
- They increase the blood pressure and heart rate.
Fatal heart attacks have occurred even in
healthy, young athletes. The blood pressure
maybe so high that a blood vessel in the brain
ruptures causing a stroke.
Coccaine is an alkaloid from the leaves of the coca
shrub cultivated in Bolivia and Peru.
- It produces effects similar to amphetamines, but
is a much more powerful stimulant.
- Is used to excite the undersexed.
- Is a euphoriant and readily relieves fatigue
Untoward Effects:
- Same as amphetamine
E. DEPRESSANTS:
- Angel dust
- Depresses the brain and abusers usually
become confused and disoriented shortly after
taking the drug.
- Can be combative and because they dont feel
the pain they may continue fighting even when hit
hard.
CHAPTER 6 SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS AND SEXUAL
CRIMES
SEXUALITY IS A NORMAL BIOLOGICAL URGE AND AN
IMPORTANT PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
4 Stages of a Sexual Response:
1. Desire
2. Arousal
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution
SEXUAL CRIMES:
Chaste An unmarried woman who has had no carnal
knowledge with men or that she never voluntarily had unlawful
sexual intercourse. These also denotes purity of mind and
innocence of heart.
C. Seduction
- is the art of a man enticing women to have
unlawful intercourse with him by means of
persuasion, solicitation, promises, bribes or other
means without employment of force
5. Phobic Disorders
a. Agoraphobia
b. Specific phobias
c. Social phobia
6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
7. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
8. Depression and Mania
9. Bipolar Disorder
10. Suicidal Behavior
11. Eating Disorders
a. Anorexia nervosa
b. Bulimia nervosa
c. Binge eating disorder
12. Personality Disorders
D. Acts of Lasciviosness
E. Acts of Lasciviousness with Consent of the
Offended Party
F. Abduction
1. Forcible Abduction
2. Consensual Abduction
G. Adultery
H. Concubinage
I. Bigamy
10
a. Paranoid
b. Schizoid
c. Histrionic
d. Narcissistic
e. Antisocial
f. Borderline
g. Avoidant
h. Dependent
i. Obsessive Compulsive
j. Passive Aggressive
k. Dissociative
13. Schizophrenia a serious mental disorder characterized by
loss of contact with reality ( psychosis ) , hallucinations,
delusions ( false beliefs ) , abnormal thinking, disrupted work
and social functioning
Types of Schizophrenia:
a. Paranoid
b. Hebephrenic
c. Catatonic
2. As a mitigating Circumstance
Article 13, of the Revised Penal Code
provides, the following are mitigationg circumstances:
a. That the offender is deaf and dumb, blind
or otherwise suffering from physical defect which thus
restricts his means of action, defense or
communication with his fellow beings
The American Law Institute formulated the following
Rules on Criminal Responsibility and states that;
1. A person is not responsible for his criminal conduct
if at the time of such conduct as a result of mental
illness or defect, he lacks essential capacity to
appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform
his conduct to the requirement of the law.
Types of Compulsion:
a. Pyromania
b. Kleptomania
c. Dipsomania
d. Homicidal impulse
e. Sex impulse
f. Suicidal impulse
DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN TRUE AND FALSE
INSANITY:
11
12