LEGAL AND FORENSIC MEDICINE NOTES
I would like to give thanks to everyone who helped me in making this
notes possible. Thanks to Jorap and Rika for lending me their time
transcribing and sharing their notes. Thank you Trish, Vincent A.,
Leslee, yVee, and Shar for unselfishly sharing your audio recordings. -
Mhyko
This is my first trans hahaha! Hello hello to:
 My Med, Surg, Neuro, and ano pa nga yung isa? Pedia! I ♥ you
groupmates. 
 L Group (aka CPC Group 1) and PPG. 
 The good looking UERM Red Cross officers: Rey, Eloise, Leigh,
Carlo, Jean, Miko and Kat, Fid, Therese and Thea. 
 2012 APO Men’s basketball team, UERM Palarong Med
Volleyball, Football and T-Tennis teams. Pati narin basketball,
badminton, swimming, and sepaktakraw teams.
 Hi to my grandmother who is from 2013. Mag-ballroom naman
tayo minsan. I ♥ you grandma! 
- jorap
Hello 2012! Goodluck satin lahat sa exams.. Konting tiis nalang.. Days
to go nalang before sembreak. Yey!! Aral tayo lahat mabuti.. Miko
thanks dahil ang tyaga nyo gumawa. Notes ko lang naman nadagdag
ko eh. Pero I'm glad I helped a little. Anyway, Godbless 2012! :)
-rika (Sent from my iPod)
LEGEND:
Normal text : lecture and recordings from section a & b
Italics : book and 2011 trans
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE OF LEGAL MEDICINE
It is the application of medical and paramedical sciences as
demanded by law and administration of justice. The knowledge
of the nature and extent of wounds has been acquired in
surgery, abortion in gynecology, sudden death, and effects of
trauma in pathology, etc. aside from having knowledge of the
basic medical sciences, like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry,
physics, and other allied sciences.
Strictly speaking, LEGAL MEDICINE is primarily the application of
medicine to legal cases while FORENSIC MEDICINE concerns with
the application of medical science to elucidate legal problems.
MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE denotes knowledge of law in relation
to the practice of medicine. It concerns with the study of the
rights, duties, and obligations of a medical practitioner with
particular reference to those arising from doctor-patient
relationship.
NATURE OF THE STUDY OF LEGAL MEDICINE
A physician who specializes or is involved primarily with medico-
legal duties is known as MEDICAL JURIST (medical examiner,
medico-legal officer, medico legal expert)
DISTINCTION BETWEEN AN ORDINARY PHYSICIAN AND A MEDICAL
JURIST
An ordinary physician sees an injury or disease on the point of
view of treatment, whole a medico-jurist sees injury or disease
on the point of view of cause.
The purpose of an ordinary physician examining a patient is to
arrive at a definite diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can
be instituted, while the purpose of the medical jurist in
examining a patient is to include those bodily lesions in his
report and testify before the court or before an investigative
boy; thus giving justice to whom it is due.
Minor or trivial injuries are USUALLY ignored by an ordinary
clinician inasmuch as they do not require usual treatment.
Superficial abrasions, small contusion, and other minor injuries
will heal without medication. However, a medical jurist must
record all bodily injuries even if they are small or minor because
these injuries may be proofs to qualify the crime or to justify the
act.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
PRINCIPLE OF STARE DECICIS
Whom the court has once laid down a principle of law or
interpretations as applied to certain state of facts, it will adhere
to and apply to all future cases where the facts are substantially
the same
What the Supreme Court lays down is the principle of law, all its
subjects are duty-bound to follow
Para wala nang tanungan ang mas madaling intindihing meaning
nito ay: "Maintain what has been decided and do not alter that
which has been established"
THREE BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE - Tasked to IMPLEMENT THE LAW
 The office of the president and
 The different department bureaus
LEGISLATIVE - They are tasked to MAKE THE LAW
 The upper house: The Senate
 The lower house: The House of Representatives
JUDICIARY - Tasked to APPLY or INTERPRET THE LAW
 Supreme Court: Chief Justices
 Court of Appeals
 Sandiganbayan
 The Regional Trial Court
Which Branch is The Most Powerful?
None. They are all equal branches of the government.
No one is above the other. If congress passes a bill, it
can be vetoed by the government. Congress can
overturn the veto by a vote of two-thirds. If the
president accepts the bill, the Supreme Court can
strike it down as unconstitutional. Who appoints
justices to the Supreme Court? The president. Who
submits the budget for the Supreme Court? The
congress.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNING APPLICATIONS AND
EFFECTS OF LAWS
IGNORANCE OF THE LAW EXCUSES NO ONE FROM COMPLIANCE
THEREWITH OR “IGNORANTIA LEGIS NOMINEM EXCUSAT”
You cannot invoke the excuse that you are doctors, that it’s ok
for you not know the law because you are not lawyers
In our current academic status, we are considered more
knowledgeable and learned than an ordinary layman, it should
be considered an aggravating circumstance for us not to know
the law.
Ignorance is not an excuse. Know your laws.
Nice to know:
When a congressman sponsors a health bill, it will then
be introduced / passed on to the committee of health
composed of 40-50 congressmen where the bill goes
through public hearings. So the committee can either
kill it there and/or calendar it for three separate
meetings in the lower house. At the third meeting,
congressmen will vote “Nay” or “Yey”. After that, the
bill goes to the senate and will again undergo three
separate meetings. They have only up to three years to
do that because they re-elect every three years.
LAWS SHALL HAVE NO RETROACTIVE EFFECT UNLESS THE
CONTRARY IS PROVIDED
Laws should always be prospective unless it is favorable for the
accused.
Laws take effect ONLY AFTER 15 DAYS after the law’s publication
in a journal/common medium
A murderer was sentenced to life and during his stay in prison,
the sentence for murder was decreased to 25 years. Since 25
years is MORE FAVORABLE than life in prison, the new law will
apply to them.
If a law was passed punishing students who cheat in med school,
retroactive to 50 years, is this constitutional? NO. (Amen to
Page 1 of 16
 that!) One because, laws should only be prospective and two,
because it is not favorable for the accused.
Nice to know:
Death penalty before was done by electrocution.
When it was abolished crime rates increased.
Once you have served 1/3 of your sentence, you are
eligible for parole.
RIGHTS MAY BE WAIVED UNLESS THE WAIVER IS CONTRARY TO
THE LAW, PUBLIC ORDER, MORALS OR GOOD CUSTOMS OR
PREJUDICIAL TO A THIRD PERSON WITH A RIGHT RECOGNIZED BY
A LAW
Let’s say you’re a doctor and you had your patient sign a waiver
waiving his/her right to sue, can she still sue you? Yeeesss…
(with matching condescending baritone voice ni sir). Why?
Because that condition is null and void. Why is it null and void?
Because it is against public policy. Why is it against public policy?
Because that waiver is actually a suicide note. You cannot allow
another person to kill you. Waivers only give you some security,
but when the relatives demand a lawsuit, they still can.
CUSTOMS WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO LAW, PUBLIC ORDER AND
PUBLIC POLICY SHALL BE COUNTENANCED. A CUSTOM MUST BE
PROVED AS A FACT ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF EVIDENCE
In a tribe that practices cutting off of clitoris because its their
custom and they’ve been there even before the laws were
established, do they violate the law? Yesss… (condescending
baritone voice ulit). What law? Mutilation.
The medico-legal classification of mutilation: cutting off of a
reproductive organ yields a graver punishment than cutting a
non-reproductive organ. So if you cut an Ear vs. a Penis, which
one is a more heinous crime? Cutting off of penis. Between the
tongue and the ears? Tongue. ( ^_- ) wink wink!!
Intent to cut: MUTILATION
Intent to hurt: PHYSICAL INJURY
Intent to kill: MURDER
If there was intent to hurt or no intent at all but
eventually resulted to death: HOMICIDE
THREE DEGREES OF MURDER:
 Attempted – you shoot victim, you missed. Even without
medical attendance, victim will survive.
 Frustrated- you shoot, but doctor revived victim. Medical
attendance is required. This is where the questions of
Mortal or Non-Mortal Wounds come in.
Mortal wound involves major blood vessels and
organs.
Non-Mortal wound does not involve major vessels or
organs.
 Consummated – you shoot, victim dies
THREE DEGREES OF PARTICIPATION:
 Accessory – not present at the actual crime and may be
subject to lesser penalties than an accomplice.
 Accomplice – present at the actual crime and can be
prosecuted even if the main criminal is not charged or
convicted.
MEDICAL EVIDENCE- if the means employed to prove a fact is medical
 Principal – any actor who is primarily responsible for the
in nature.
criminal offense.
WHEN IS IT MURDER?
 There is time for contemplation.
 Use of superior force and night time to ensure success
 It was committed during a conflagration, shipwreck or a
calamity. (even if hold-up lang ginawa mo, eh nag-earth
quake, malas mo, murder na yun)
 Committed in the presence of the Chief Executive. (sa harap
ng president)
 Cussing at the courts or the deceased.
As a doctor if you see something as minor as an
abrasion. Report it. It indicates signs of struggle /
victim trying to runaway from assailant.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
IMPOSSIBLE MURDER (IMPRISONMENT OF NOT >2 YEARS) – Sir
Rebosa’s wife tried to kill him. She mistakenly put salt in his
coffee instead of poison. It turns out Sir Rebosa, loves salty
coffee OR killing an already dead person
ANTE-MORTEM WOUNDS / POST-MORTEM WOUNDS.
 Get tissue from margins of wound and look for Vital Tissue
Reaction (VTR), in other words, you’re looking for signs of
inflammation
TREACHERY - Traitor or Ahas
SCAFFING OF CORPSE OF THE DISEASED
 Adding insult to the injury
 Homicide becomes murder
CONSTITUTION
Laws are repealed only by subsequent ones and their violation
and non-observance shall not be excused by disuse, custom or
practice to the contrary
st
1898 – 1935 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION, 1 constitution
1935 – 1941 COMMONWEALTH CONSTITUTION. All laws
nd
were called Commonwealth Acts (CA) 2
constitution
1941 – 1945 JAPANESE INVASION, constitution was
suspended.
1946 – 1972 PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC was established. All laws
were called Republic Acts (RA)
1973 constitution
rd
3 constitution
1978 BATASANG PAMBANSA established. It served
as a transitional legislative body as mandated
by the 1973 Constitution as the Philippines
shifted from a presidential to a parliamentary
form of government. All laws were called Batas
Pambansa (BP). Most famous was BP 22:
Bouncing Checks Law.
1972 – 1986 MARCOS REGIME (MARSHALL LAW) up until
the Edsa Revolution. All laws were called
Presidential Decrees (PD) since Dictator si
Marcos that time
1987 Cory took over, 1987 constitution. All laws
th
were called Republic Acts (RA), 4 constitution
EVIDENCE
- The means, sanctioned by the Rules of Court, of ascertaining in a
judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact (Sec.1,
Rule 128, Rules of Court)
- The species of proof, or probative matter, legally presented at the
trial of an issue by the act of the parties and through the medium
of witnesses, records, documents, concrete objects, etc., for the
purpose of inducing belief in the minds of the court as to their
contention(Black’s Law Dictionary)
- The judge determines if evidence is admissible or inadmissible.
- Admissibility depends on the person presenting it.
- Hearsay/chismis – mostly an inadmissible fact.
- To be admissible, evidence must be relevant to the fact in issue.
TYPES OF MEDICAL EVIDENCES:
AUTOPTIC OR REAL – addressed to the senses of the Court. It is
not limited to that which is known through the sense of vision
but is extended to what the sense of hearing, taste, smell and
touch is perceived.
 It is of judicial notice – the judge is supposed to know
 Do you need to prove to the judge that the ball is round? A
square has 4 sides?
Limitations:
 Indecency and Impropriety. (Example: exposure of genitalia
of an alleged sexual offense victim)
Page 2 of 16
  Repulsive Objects and those Offensive to Sensibilities
(Example: foul smelling objects, persons with highly
infectious and communicable diseases, objects that pose
potential danger to the life/health of the judge)
 May still be presented if necessary for adjucation of the
case depending on the sound discretion of the court.
TESTIMONIAL – doctor as a witness
 ORDINARY – a physician who testifies in court on matters he
perceived from his patient in the course of physician-patient
relationship in is considered as an ordinary witness.
 EXPERT – a physician on account of his training and
experience can give his opinion on a set of medical facts. He
can deduce or infer something, determine the cause of
death, or render opinion pertinent to the issue and medical
in nature.
EXPERIMENTAL – if allowed by the Court to confirm or
corroborate
 If the judge don’t believe that a pen is capable of exploding,
 “Judge, let’s have an experiment, please hold this
ballpen and let’s see if it will explode in your hands.” :}
 Example: show how long a person can survive after
administration of lethal dose of poison by administration of
the said poison to experimental animals w/in the view of
the court
DOCUMENTARY – writings/photographs
 Recorded by letters, figures or marks
 Applies to writings, to words printed, lithographed or
photographed; to seals, plates or stones on which
inscriptions are cut or engraved; to photographs and
pictures; to maps or plans
 MEDICAL CERTIFICATES OR REPORT ON (see page __)
- Medival/Physical exam
- Necropsy/Autopsy
- Labs
- Exhumation(nahukay???)
- Birth/death
 MEDICAL EXPERT OPINION
 DEPOSITION - if the ONLY witness who could testify is
migrating to another country next month or has terminal
CA who will die in 3 months, he/she will produce a
testimony under oath, just like an affidavit. Testimony is
perpetuated.
PHYSICAL – articles and materials found in connection with the
investigation and which aids in establishing the identity of the
perpetrator or the circumstances under which the crime was
committed, or in general assist in the prosecution of a criminal.
CRIMINALISTICS – Identification, collection, preservation and
mode of presentation of the physical evidence, application of
sciences in crime detection and investigation.
Types of Physical Evidences:
1. CORPUS DELICTI – objects/substances which may be part
of the body of the crime.
- Smoking gun
- Body of the victim of the murdered
- Prohibited drugs recovered from a person
- Knife with blood stains or fingerprints of the suspect
- Stolen motor vehicle identified by plate number and
by body or engine serial numbers.
2. ASSOCIATIVE – evidence that may link suspect to the
crime. An alibi at this point may be considered to be the
weakest defense.
- YOUR SCHOOL ID/nameplate beside a dead body :o
You become associated with the crime, you
become a suspect
3. TRACING EVIDENCE – evidence that may assist
investigator in locating the suspect. The ELECTRONIC
EVIDENCE LAW makes text messages and e-mails now
admissible to court as evidence.
- Traces of blood, mobile phone tracker
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
If you’re going to threaten somebody, make sure you
use prepaid.
Consultation via text messages  may text the wrong
dose, (5g instead of 0.5mg, overdose = patay).
Just reply “Pls col me”  Do not reply and treat a
patient thru a text message.
METHODS OF PRESERVING EVIDENCES:
PHOTOGRAPHS, ADIO AND/OR VIDEO TAPE, MICRO-FILM,
PHOTOSTAT, XEROX, VOICE TRACING, ETC.
SKETCHING – rough drawing of the scene or subject
 ROUGH – made at the crime scene or during examination of
living or dead body. On the latter, an anatomic figure of the
front, back and side part of the body must be made and the
bodily lesions indicated.
 FINISHED – sketch prepared from the rough sketch for
court presentation
DESCRIPTION – putting into words the person or thing to be
preserved
 SKIN LESION
 PENETRATING WOUND (punctured, stab, or gunshot)
 HYMENAL LACERATION
 PERSON
MANIKIN METHOD
 Miniature model of a scene or human body indicating marks
of various aspects of the things to be preserved.
PRESERVATION IN THE MIND OF THE WITNESS
 A person who perceives something relevant for proper
adjudication of a case may be a witness in court if he has
the power to transmit to others what he perceived.
SPECIAL METHODS – special way of treating certain type of
evidence may be necessary. Preservation may be essential from
the time it is recovered to make the condition unchanged up to
the period it reaches the criminal laboratory for appropriate
examination.
KINDS OF EVIDENCE NECESSARY FOR CONVICTION:s
DIRECT – provides the fact in dispute without the aid of any
inference or presumption. The evidence that can stand on its
own.
 Example: Eye witness, DNA
 Direct evidence:
- Vizconde massacre: Eye witness Jessica Alfaro
- OJ Simpson Case: DNA
OJ was acquitted in the criminal case, but lost the civil
case: OJ cannot be tried again – violation of Double
Jeopardy
CIRCUMSTANTIAL – proof of facts from which, taken either
singly or collectively, the existence of a particular fact in dispute
may be inferred as a necessary or probable consequence.
Evidence that cannot stand on its own.
 Example: Blood stained jacket
 Circumstantial evidence,
- Vizconde massacre: blood stained mats, carpets
- OJ Simpson Case: sheepskin gloves
WEIGHT, SUFFICIENCY AND APPRECIATION OF EVIDENCE:
CIVIL CASE – “preponderance of evidence”
 The party having the burden of proof must establish his case
by a preponderance of evidence.
Rule 133, Rules of Court:
Section 1 - Preponderance of evidence, how
determined - In civil cases, the ff. factors may be
considered:
 All the facts and circumstances of the case
 The witnesses’ manner of testifying, their
intelligence, means and opportunities of knowing
the facts to w/c they testify
 Nature of the facts to w/c the witness testify
 The probability and improbability of the witnesses’
testimony
 The interest or want of interest of the witnesses
Page 3 of 16
  Credibility of the witness so far as the same may
legitimately appear upon the trial
 Number of witnesses presented, although preponderance is
not necessarily w/ the greatest number.
CRIMINAL CASE – “proof/guilt beyond reasonable doubt”
 The defendant is entitled to an acquittal, unless his guilt is
shown beyond reasonable doubt. Proof beyond reasonable
doubt does not mean such a degree of proof as, excluding
possibility of error, produces absolute certainty. Moral
certainty only is required, or that degree of proof which
produces conviction in an unprejudiced mind.
 It is presumed that a person is innocent of a crime until the
contrary is proven beyond reasonable doubt. The doubt, the
benefit of which an accused is entitled in a criminal case, is
a reasonable doubt, and not a whimsical or fanciful doubt,
based on imagined and wholly improbable possibilities and
unsupported by evidence.
Rule 133, Rules of Court:
Section 2- Proof beyond reasonable doubt- In criminal
case, the defendant is entitled to an acquittal, unless
his guilt is shown beyond reasonable doubt. It is
presumed that a person is innocent of a crime until the
contrary is proven beyond reasonable doubt.
ADMINISTRATIVE CASE – “substantial evidence”
DECEPTION DETECTION
- You cannot be compelled against your will invoking right against
self-incrimination or something that makes use of intellect.
DEVICES THAT RECORD PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE:
LIE DETECTOR TEST OR POLYGRAPHY
 Cannot be forced to undergo such test,
 Can invoke the Right Against Self Incrimination*
 Results are generally inadmissible (Exception: when the
person waives the Right of Self Incrimination AND pts it into
writing in the presence of a lawyer of his choice)
*Right Against Self Incrimination
If the procedure/activity makes use of your intellect,
you can invoke this right (ask to smile, lie detector
test, and semen sample). If it is mechanical in nature,
you cannot invoke (finger print, photographs, mug
shots) (dahil di naman daw kelangan gumamit ng
utak…not unless pag-iisipan mo kung paano ka
ngingiti)
Phases of Examination
1. Pre-test interview
- Check for medical/psychiatric condition/drug use
- Explain purpose of exam
- Develop the test questions
- Explain efficiency of technique
- To know any anti-social activity or criminal record of
the subject
2. Actual interrogation and recording through the
instrument
- Irrelevant questions- no bearing to the case like age,
citizenship, marital status
- Relevant questions- pertains to issue under
investigation
- Control questions- unrelated to the matter under
investigation but are similar of nature
3. Post-test interrogation
- To clarify findings
- To learn if there are any other reasons for subject’s
responding to a relevant question
- Obtain additional info
WORD ASSOCIATION TEST
 Time response to questions is recorded.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
 The test is not concerned with the answer, be it “yes” or
“no”. The important factor is the time of response in
relation to stimulus or non-stimulus words.
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATOR (PSE)
 Detect stress of a person lying by modulations of his voice.
 When a person is under stress as when he is lying, the
micro-tremor in the voice utterance is moderately or
completely suppressed. The degree of suppression varies
inversely to the degree of psychologic stress in the speaker.
 The psychologic stress evaluator (PSE) detects, measures,
and graphically displays the voice modulations that we
cannot hear.
DRUGS THAT TRY TO “INHIBIT THE INHIBITOR”
TRUTH SERUM – Hyoscine hydrobromide (person will not have
the propensity to lie. Think: True Lies)
 In the test, Hyoscine bromide is given hypodermically in
repeated doses until a state of delirium is induced. When
the proper point is reached, the questioning begins and the
subject feels a compulsion to answer the questions
truthfully. He forgets his alibi which he may have built up to
cover his guilt. He may give details of his acts or even
implicate others.
NARCOANALYSIS/NARCOSYNTHESIS
 Practically the same as that of the administration of truth
serum. The only difference is the drug used (sodium amytal
and sodium pethotal).
 Because of the drug, the subject speaks freely due to lack of
inhibition.
INTOXICATION WITH ALCOHOL
 The ability of alcohol to reveal the real person behind the
mask which all of us are said to wear (“mask of sanity”) is
reflected in the age-old maxim, “In vino veritas” (“In wine
there is truth”).
Confessions made by the subject while under the
influence of alcohol may be admissible if he is
physically capable to recollect the facts that he has
uttered after the effects of alcohol have disappeared.
But in most instances, the subject cannot recall
everything that he had mentioned or he may refuse to
admit the truth of the statement given.
HYPNOSIS
Alteration of consciousness and concentration  heightened
suggestibility while awareness is maintained. (“Loook straight
intooo my eyes...”)
Not all persons are susceptible to hypnotic induction.
Subjects who are compulsive-depressive type, strong-
willed like lawyers, accountants, physicians, and other
professionals are usually non-hypnotizable.
Truth serum, intoxication, hypnosis cannot be done in
court since testifying in court is VOLUNTARY
OBSERVATION
A good criminal investigator must be a keen observer and a good
psychologist. A subject under stress on account of the
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system may exhibit
changes which may be used as a potential clue of deception. And
since just one or a combination of the following signs and
symptoms is not conclusive or a reliable proof of guilt of the
subject, their presence infers further investigation to ascertain
the truth of the impression.
Physiological and Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Guilt:
 Sweating
 Color change
 Dryness of the mouth
 Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple
 Fidgeting
 “Peculiar feeling inside”
 Swearing to the truthfulness of his assertion
 “Spotless past record” – “Religious man”
 Inability to look at the investigator “straight in the eye”
 “Not that I remember” expression
Page 4 of 16
SCIENTIFIC INTERROGATION
The questioning of a person suspected of having committed an
offense or of persons who are reluctant to make a full disclosure
of information in his possession which is pertinent to the
investigation. It may be done on a suspect or a witness.
The use of drugs that try to “inhibit the inhibitor” and
hypnotism are both involuntary therefore are
inadmissible in court as evidences.
TYPES OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS
BASED ON BEHAVIORAL ATTITUDE
ACTIVE AGGRESSIVE OFFENDER
 Persons who commit crimes on account of their implsive
and aggressive behavior; seen in crimes of passion, revenge
or resentments.
PASSIVE INADEQUATE OFFENDER
 Commit crimes because of inducement, promise, and
reward
 They are gullible and easily persuaded to perform acts in
violation of the penal laws.
BASED ON THE STATE OF MIND
RATIONAL OFFENDER
 With motive, intention or pre-evident meditation, and with
full possession of their mental faculties.
 Example: Murderer
IRRATIONAL OFFENDER
 Does not know nature and quality of his act.
 Example: Mad killer
BASED ON PROFICIENCY
ORDINARY
 Lowest form of criminal career
 Only engaged in crimes that require limited skill
 They lack the capacity to avoid arrest and conviction.
PROFESSIONAL
 Highly skilled and rarely detected
 commit crimes that require special skills rather than
violence.
 Example: Pickpockets, shoplifters
BASED ON PSYCHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
EMOTIONAL
 Heat of passion, anger, or revenge, and also who commit
offenses of accidental in nature.
 Usually have a feeling of remorse, mental anguish, or
compunction as a result of their acts. They have the sense of
moral guilt.
 The most effective interrogation approach to use for them is
based upon sympathetic consideration regarding their
offense and present difficulty.
 Example: a man comes home seeing his wife with another
man and kills them both.
Penalty: Destierro
Destierro
Defined as: "Banishment or only a prohibition from
residing within the radius of twenty (25) kilometers
from the actual residence of the accused for a specified
length of time."
 Example: A wife catches her husband with another woman
(or another man) and kills them both
Penalty: The wife is not justified to killing her husband and
his “whatever”, it is an INCOMPLETE JUSTIFICATION. The
wife will have to go to jail.
Patience is a virtue. If you’re going to kill your wife or
husband with another man or woman, don’t kill them
when they are still in foreplay, you have to wait they
are in the act of having sex. Dura lex sed lex.
Dura lex sed lex
[the] law [is] harsh, but [it is the] law
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
NON-EMOTIONAL – commit crimes for financial gain and are
usually recidivist or repeaters.
 The interrogation should make a factual analysis of the
suspect’s predicament and appeal to his common sense an
reasoning rather than to his emotion.
 Example: Hired killers  (“Trabaho lang, walang
personalan.”)
 Sa Team Switz, magdadala na ako ng cake sa RSI sa exam week.
 Kina Ma. Paola Bianca Macasieb, Kent Emmanuel Viquiera,
Milagros Andrea Victoria Lazo at Leo Alejandro Miguel Lagade! 
 2012A, B
 UERM Red Cross members
 Kay Choon and kay Cheeks!
 Kay Hello Cheeky na ang weapon ay Flaming Steth at ang special
move ay Kidney Punch! 
 Kina Silver, Bronze, Titanium, Palladium, Emerald, Diamond,
Aluminum, Gold, Cold, & Bold Standards! 
Ríete de la noche,
del día, de la luna,
ríete de las calles
torcidas de la isla,
ríete de este torpe
muchacho que te quiere,
pero cuando yo abro
los ojos y los cierro,
cuando mis pasos
van, cuando vuelven mis pasos,
niégame el pan, el aire,
la luz, la primavera, pero tu risa nunca
porque me moriría. -- Neruda From: jumping jorap
INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES
EMOTIONAL APPEAL – not done, theoretical only (“Brad, sabihin
mo na yung totoo please?  Bad yun, kasalanan sa Diyos yun.”)
 The interrogator must create a mood that is conducive to
confession.
 He may be sympathetic and friendly to the subject. The
subject may be willing to disclose more information if he is
treated in a kin spirit.
MUTT AND JEFF TECHNIQUE – a.k.a. good cop/bad cop routine.
2 investigators with contrasting personalities.
 Mutt: arrogant and relentless(bad cop)
 Jeff: friendly, sympathetic and kind(good cop)
 When Mutt is not present Jeff will advice the subject to
make a quick decision and plea for cooperation.
BLUFF ON SPLIT-PAIR TECHNIQUE – several suspects; have 2
sets of investigators in separate rooms.
 All who are allegedly participated in the commission of a
crime are interrogated separately and the results of their
individual statements are not known to one another.
 While one of the subjects is under interrogation, the
interrogator may claim that the subject was implicated by
the author and that there is no use for him to deny
participation.
STERN APPROACH – TORTURE. Evidences or testimonies taken
by torture is considered inadmissible evidence and will subject
the torturer to capital punishment.
Physical violence – most common way of torture
The best way to torture a person is not to have any
external marks.  (Example: Water immersion
technique, suffocation, electrocution in the testicles,
and by tickling  ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES!!)
LENGTHY, TIME CONSUMING NARRATION – “kwento mo nalang
sakin kung anong nangyari ha, uupo nalang ako dito.”
 There may be a moment when the subject becomes
confused and desists from making further statement for
fear of contradicting his previous statement.
Page 5 of 16
 CONFESSION VS ADMISSION
CONFESSION – expressed acknowledgement by the accused in a
criminal case of the truth of his guilt as to the crime charged, or
of some essential thereof. You not only admit that you shot him
but also admit the crime.
 Example: “Eh binaril ko po sya kasi nung hinoholdap ko po
he refused to give me his cell phone.
ADMISSION –valid ground or reason for shooting him. Example:
“Eh nagwarning shot na nga ako eh, tapos pinagnanakawan pa
rin ako eh, tapos bigla akong binaril, so binaril ko sya.”
IDENTIFICATION
SHARE KO LANG… HEHE.. SABI NI SIR MEMORIZE DAW YUNG
CLASSIFICATIONS AND YUNG MGA UNDER SA KANILA KASI MGA MALA
GANUN DAW MGA TANONG SA EXAM. EXAMPLE: CHEMICAL TESTS TAPOS
YUNG MGA UNDER NG CHEMICAL TESTS. - RIKA
- HALLMARK OF FORENSIC MEDICINE
- In a legal viewpoint, it is important to identify the accused, who
must be arraigned and be given the sentence must be the
perpetrator
- Determination of the individuality of a person or thing
Importance:
1. Ground for dismissal of the charge of acquittal of the
accused.
2. Facilitate settlement of the estate, retirement, insurance
and social benefits.
3. Resolves anxiety of relatives as to whereabouts of a
missing person or victim.
4. Needed in some transactions.
Identification is very important: you cannot declare a
person dead unless you identify that the person you
place in the death certificate is the one actually dead.
If you cannot identify the person, you cannot tell that
the person is already dead
Example: Burns – you can’t identify – identify through
other methods if identification – DNA, clothing
- MISSING SPOUSE: cannot just re-marry, must go to court and file
for judicial decision of presumptive death
 Example 1 - Wife perished on a plane crash, charred
beyong recognition: Husband must wait for 4 years before
he can re-marry (Family Code took: 2 years)
 Example 2 - Wife just disappears and abandons the
husband: Husband must wait for 7 years before he can re-
marry. (Family Code: 4 years)
 Example 3 – Husband re-marries a younger and sexier
woman, but after 6 months, wife suddenly appears. Valid
wife: unfortunately it is the 1st wife.
TIP: Kill the first wife. Because she’s dead, it will be an
impossible crime.
New Family Code took effect on August 3, 1988
RULES IN PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
LAW OF MULTIPLICITY OF EVIDENCE IN IDENTIFICATION
 The greater the number of points of similarities and
dissimilarities of 2 persons compared, the greater is the
probability for the conclusion to be correct.
 Example: Wife on a plane, plane crashed. No survivors. 
Only identification: she has 6 toes on one foot. Body
recovered has 7 toes.  Rules her out.
ORDINARY METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION
Points of Identification Applicable to the Living Person Only
Characteristics which may easily be changed
 Growth of hair, beard or mustache
 Clothing
 Frequent place of visit
 Grade of profession
 Body ornamentations
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
Characteristics that may NOT easily be changed
 Mental memory
 Speech
 Gait – a person, on account of disease or some inborn traits,
may show a characteristic manner of walking
a. Ataxic – foot is raised high, thrown forward and
brought down; persons suffering from “tabes dorsalis”
b. Cerebellar – staggering movement
c. Cow’s – swaying movement due to knock knee
d. Paretic – short steps, foot drag, and legs are held more
or less widely apart.
e. Spastic – stiff and the toes are dragged
f. Festinating – involuntary movement in short
accelerating steps
g. Frog – hopping gait resulting from infantile paralysis
h. Waddling – duck (“Wow ang sexy, parang pato
maglakad! “^_^)
 Mannerism - stereotype movement or habit peculiar to an
individual.
 Hands and feet
 Complexion
 Eye changes
 Facies – facial expressions brought about by disease or
racial influence.
a. Hippocratic – pinched nose, the temple hollow, eyes
sunken, ears cold, lips relaxed, and skin livid. The
appearance of the face is indicative of approaching
death.
b. Mongolian – almond eyes, pale complexion,
prominence of cheek bones.
c. Facies Leonine – a peculiar, deeply furrowed, lion-like
appearance of the face. This may be observed in
leprosy, elephantiasis, and leontiasis ossia.
d. Myxedemic – pale face, non-pitting edematous
swelling, associated with dullness of intellect, slow
monotonous speech, muscular weakness, and tremor.
 Left/right handedness
 Degree of nutrition
SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN IDENTIFICATION
FINGERPRINTING – considered to be the most valuable method
of identification and is universally used because:
 There are no two identical fingerprints
 Fingerprints are not changeable
 Odds - 1:64 billion (World population: approximately 6
billion)
DACTYLOGRAPHY – art and study of recording fingerprints
as a means of identification
DACTYLOSCOPY – art of identification by comparison of
fingerprints, the study and utilization of fingerprints
POROSCOPY (Locard’s method of identification) – study
of the pores found on the papillary or friction ridges of the
skin for purposes of identification.
DENTAL IDENTIFICATION
 The possibility of two persons to have the same dentition is
quite remote. An adult has 32 teeth and each tooth has 5
surfaces. Some teeth may be missing, carious, with filling
materials, and with abnormality in shape and other
peculiarities. This will lead to several combinations with
almost infinite in number of dental characteristics.
Bubby Dacer case – Identified by means of dentition.
Law mandates all dentists to keep dental records of
their patients and submit them to NBI for recording
purposes.
Only the DENTIST is in the proper position to identify
dentition.
HANDWRITING, HANDPRINTING, AND HANDNUMBERING
 Sec.23, Rule 132, Rules of Court – Handwriting, how proved:
The handwriting of a person may be proved by any witness
who believes it to be the handwriting of such person, and
has seen the person write, or has seen writing purporting to
Page 6 of 16
 be his upon which the witness has acted or been charged,
and thus acquired knowledge of the handwriting of such
person. Evidence respecting the handwriting may also be
given by a comparison, made by the witness or the court,
with writings admitted or treated as genuine by the party
against whom the evidence is offered, or proved to be
genuine to the satisfaction of the judge.
BIBLIOTICS – science of handwriting analysis. It is the
study of documents and writing materials to determine its
genuineness or authorship.
GRAPHOLOGY – study of handwriting for the purpose of
determining the writer’s personality, character and
aptitude.
Example: Madame Auring
IDENTIFICATION OF SKELETON
Points can be determined approximately:
 Whether the remains are of human origin or not.
 Whether the remains belong to single person or not.
 Height.
a. Actual measurement of the skeleton.
b. Pearson’s Formulae for reconstruction of the living
stature of long bones, whose animal matters have
disappeared and which are in a dry state.
c. Stature from bone (Dupertius and Hadden’s General
Formulae for Reconstruction Of Stature From Lengths
of Dry Long Bones Without Cartilage).
d. Topinard’s and Rollet’s Formula – used in determining
the height of males and females.
e. Humphrey’s Table – different height of bones for
different ages and their corresponding statures.
f. Lacassagne’ Table – uses a coefficient for the
determination of height.
g. Manouvrier’s Formula – based on length of tibia,
fibula, radius, and ulna for the determination of height.
h. Estimations of Total Foetal Length from One or More
Bones.
 Sex.
a. Pelvis
b. Skull
c. Sternum
d. Femur
e. Humerus
 Race.
a. Extrinsic Factors
 Color of the skin
 Facial features
 Nature of the hair
 Mode of dressing
b. Indices
 Skull
 Pelvis
 Extremities
 Age.
a. Appearance of Ossification Centers
b. Union of Bones an Epiphyses
c. Dental Identification
d. Obliteration of Cranial Sutures
 Length of interment or length of time from date of death.
 Presence or absence of ante-mortem or post-mortem bone
injuries.
 Congenital deformities and acquired injuries on the hard
tissues causing permanent deformities.
Determine the race, sex
Estimate the height first
 Ave. Filipino male - 5’6”, female – 5’2”
Determine cause of death
Example: crack – trauma, hole – gunshot wound
Difference between male and female
 MLSS – “Mastoid process is Larger, Styloid process is
Shorter” in MALES
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
DETERMINATION OF SEX
Legal Importance of Sex Determination
 As an aid in identification.
 To determine whether an individual can exercise certain
obligations vested by law to one sex only.
 Marriage or the union of a man and a woman.
 Rights granted by law are different to different sexes.
 There are certain crimes wherein a specific sex can only be
the offender or victim.
DETERMINATION OF AGE
Legal Importance of Determination of Age
 As in aid in identification.
 Determination of criminal liability.
 Determination of right of suffrage.
 Determination whether a person can exercise civil rights.
 Determination of the capacity to contract marriage.
 As a requisite to certain crimes.
IDENTIFICATION OF BLOOD AND BLOOD STAINS
Legal Importance of the Study of Blood
 For disputed parentage (maternity and paternity).
 Circumstantial or corroborative evidence against or in favor
of the perpetrator of a crime.
 Determination of the cause of death.
 Determination of the direction of escape of the victim or
the assailant.
 Determination of the approximate time the crime was
committed.
BY STUDYING THE BLOOD CLOT IF IT IS ANTE-
MORTEM OF POST-MORTEM:
Ante-mortem: clotted when victim was still alive,
homogenous in nature, very thick, difficult to be
stripped
Post-mortem: clotted when the victim was already
dead, heterogeneous, can be easily stripped, clotting
mechanism is no longer functioning – “it is actually
dried blood, not clotted blood”
 Determination of the place of commission of the crime.
 Determination of the presence of certain diseases.
Problems to be Answered in the Examination of Blood
 Determine whether the stain is due to blood.
 If due to blood, determine whether it is of human origin or
not.
 If it is of human origin, to what group does it belong?
 Does it belong to the person in question?
 The manner, degree, and condition f the article which have
been stained.
 Age of the stain.
Physical Examinations
 Solubility test
 Heat test
 Luminescence
Chemical Examinations
 Saline extract of the blood stain + ammonia = brownish
tinge (due to formation of alkaline hematin)
 Benzidine test: White filter paper is pressed on the stain.
Benzidine is dropped on the paper, followed by hydrogen
peroxide. (+) result: blue color
 Guaiacum test: White filter paper is pressed on the stain.
Guaiacum is added, then hydrogen peroxide or ozonic ether
is applied by drops. If (+) with blood: blue color
 Phenolphthalein test: tests the presence of oxidase. Kestle-
Meyer’s reagent is dropped on the white filter paper with
the stain, left for 10 secs. (+) result: pink after addition of
hydrogen peroxide.
 Leucomalachite green test: (+) result: bluish-green or
peacock blue color.
Microscopic Examinations
Page 7 of 16
 Micro-Chemical Examinations
 Hemochromogen crystal or Takayama test
Fragment of suspected material is placed on a glass slide
→ hemochromogen reagent is added → slide is heated
→ examined under the microscope.
(+) result: salmon pink to dark brown crystals, irregular
rhoimboids or in clusters.
 Teichmann’s blood crystals or Hemin crystals test
A drop of water with trace of sodium chloride is added to
the fragments which are placed on a slide → Glacial
acetic acid is added and evaporated.
(+) result: dark brown rhombic prisms. Considered to be
the best test.
 Acetone-haemin of Wagenhaar test
Particle on a glass slide (needle is intersposed to prevent
direct contact between slide and cover slip) → Drop of
acetone is added → oxalic or acetic acid is then added.
(+) result: small, dark, dichroic acicular acetone-haemin
crystals
Spectroscopic Examinations
 From fresh blood stains (Oxyhemoglobin, Hemoglobin, and
Reduced hematin or hemochrogen)
 From older stains (Methemoglobin, Alkaline hematin,
Hematoporphyrin, and Reduced hematin)
 Other blood preparations (Acid hematin, Alkaline hematin,
Carboxyhemoglobin, and Hematin)
Biologic Examinations
 Precipitin test - test if human or not
 Blood grouping
FOR DISPUTED PARENTAGE
DNA as a Proof of Paternity
Example 1: Mom is Type A; Dad is Type B – Possible offspring are A,
B, AB, or O. You are blood Type AB – you may or may not be the
offspring of your parents. (Inconclusive to paternity)
Example 2: Mom is Type A; Dad is Type O – Possible offspring are A
and O. Your blood type is AB – you are not the biological child.
(Conclusive to non-paternity)
CIRCUMSTANTIAL OR CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE
Can be against or in favour of the perpetrator
REVIEW: (Glenda and Rafael )
 Direct evidence – directly saw
“I saw Rafael on top of Glenda without clothes; with resistance.”
(I witnessed the crime)
 Circumstantial or Corroborative – not direct to the issue
“Before opening the door, I saw Rafael running away, holding his
underwear, then upon entering the room I saw Glenda, without
underwear.”
(Only corroborative, because Rafael was not seen forcibly entering
Glenda. For all we know, Rafael may be running away because he
was being raped by Glenda. )
SIMULATION OF BIRTH – A CRIME
 Example: Girl A and girl B are twin sisters and girl A could not bear
a child so girl B agreed to be the surrogate mother. Upon giving
birth, girl A wanted to put her name on the baby’s birth certificate
as the one who gave birth. Is it legal? Right? – It is ILLEGAL and
WRONG! DO NOT ACCEPT!
 12-20 years imprisonment
SUBSTITUTION OF ONE CHILD FOR THE OTHER
 Example: “Kunin yung bata kasi cute.”
 Wrong – imprisonment between 12-20 years
BEFORE IN VITRO FERTILIZATION…
 Both parties (partners - husband and wife) must sign a consent
 If without consent, the child is illegitimate
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
PATERNITY
 A problem in the Philippines (“Hindi akin yung bata.”)
 HLA paternity test → 94-97% accurate (P60,000)
 If they cannot afford - parental likeness (“magkamukha”)
Blood – sometimes only circumstantial
Example: Drips of blood – suspect’s blood found in the
scene of the crime, Glenda is the deceased victim.
“Blood is only corroborative. It may be the blood of
the suspect, but that blood will not testify by itself that
the suspect killed the victim. It will only strengthen the
case because the suspect’s blood is found at the scene
of the crime. You cannot convict an accused merely by
the strength of corroborative evidence. That accused
must be acquitted if there is no direct evidence.”
EXCEPTION:
If there are so many corroborative evidences that it is
the only time the accused may be charged guilty
without any direct evidence. That is why it is so hard to
convict an accused in a crime of rape; generally, there
are only 2 witnesses in the crime. (the victim and the
offender)
Example: Kobe Bryant – defense: consensual sex
TIP: (for the males) Always get a love letter first to
prove that sex was consensual. 
IDENTIFICATION OF HAIR AND FIBERS
KINDS OF IMPRESSION
REAL – impression of the finger bulbs with the printing ink on
the paper surface
CHANCE – fingerprints impressed by mere chance without any
intention to produce it, it may be:
 Visible
 Plastic
 Latent
Can fingerprints be effaced? No.
Can fingerprints be forged? No.
IN RELATION TO THE CASE OF PHILLIP PESTAÑO:
CADAVERIC SPASM – instantaneous rigor produced
during instant death. Muscle did not have the time to
relax. Only a group of muscles are involved. Indicative
of instantaneous death.
RIGOR MORTIS – the whole muscles of the body is
involved. Manifests 3-6 hours after death. A natural
phenomenon. Occurs much faster in warmer regions
or areas.
PARAFFIN TEST – results are only presumptive, not
conclusive
THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
- Medicolegal report and Medical Certificate – two different
reports.
- Any certificate issued by a doctor can be a subject of a subpoena.
- Required by the police to prove injuries, etc.
- Penalty → 6 mos imprisonment
What is the difference between the terms DIAGNOSIS and
CLINICAL IMPRESSION in law?
DIAGNOSIS – no room for error
CLINICAL IMPRESSION – there is room for error
In writing a medical certificate, it is better to use
“clinical impression” than “diagnosis”
Page 8 of 16
TYPICAL MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
NATURE OF INJURIES:
Personal circumstances Stab wound – same as
Date incised wound, but
I hereby certify that _____ was personally seen and manner is penetrating.
examined by the undersigned last (…from)______ because
 Example: Bolo ni
of ____________. Clinical Impression is ____________.I
Rambo – can appear
have prescribed ______ and advised patient to rest for
as Lacerated wound
_________days/weeks.
(Bolo with
This medical certicate is issued for _______ purpose
serrations)
only and not intended for medicolegal/court use.
(sgd) Lacerated / Avulsed wound – caused by contact with BLUNT
object and causing a breakage in the skin
- Even if it written that the medical certificate is not
intended for court use, can still be use as a subject for
subpoena as long as the signature is still there.

MEDICOLEGAL REPORT
In reporting, do not add what is not there and do not remove
what is there.
“The patient is not your friend and the accused is not your
enemy.”

The doctor testifies not in favor of the victim or the

accused but as a third party based on what he has
personally examined. Depends on the court to  Example: Fist blows, vehicle bumpers, baseball bat, lead
evaluate based on the doctor’s testimony. He is not pipes, butt of the gun, etc.
there to testify to favor a party, rather to enlighten the  NOTE: According to Sir, this looks like an incised wound
court (what are the injury sustained by the patient Incised (Sliced/Cut) wound – caused by sharp edged instrument
when he examined the patient) or object
Form of Documentation  Example: Blade, knife,
 Personal circumstances: name, age, civil status, sex, scalpel, paper cuts etc.
address, occupation Hacking – a large incised
 Inpatient, outpatient, ER, clinic wound
 ALLEGED (because history is taken form the patient; in case
that the patient is not telling the truth) place, date, time of  Example: Ax, bolo,
infliction samurai, etc
 Nature
 Date and time of examination (important in the Contusion/Bruise (pasa) –
determination whether injuries are compatible / consistent extravasation of blood into
with the date and time of infliction) the surrounding tissues
 Vital signs because of damage to blood
 Level of consciousness and coherence vessels. Can be sustained
 Degree of ambulation when a blunt object is
 General appearance applied to the body and the
skin did not break
PHYSICAL INJURIES and EXAMINATION OF WOUNDS  “pasa” or bruise
 Shape, color (blue-brown-green-yellow)
PAUNAWA SA MAY MGA MASESELANG SIKMURA. - MHYKO  Ecchymosis, petechiae
 Tender, warm, erythematous on the first day → purplish on
DESCRIBED ACCORDING TO: the 2nd → green → yellow
Nature
Description of color id important in determining
Shape
whether injuries are compatible/consistent with the
Measurement date/time of infliction of injury
Anatomical location
Hematoma (Blood cyst/tumor/bukol) – extravasation of blood
TYPES: in a newly formed cavity
OPEN – there is breakage of skin (Example: open fracture)  Example: Contusion hematoma, periorbital hematoma
 Abrasion – skin comes in contact with a rough surface,  Contusion hematoma – hematoma + discoloration
(“gasgas”)
 Laceration – force of a blunt object. Edges are irregular Gunshot Wounds – caused by a bullet or slug. If caused by a
(“wakwak”, “putok”, Example: Pinalo ng martilyo, boxers gun, it is a lacerated wound
wound during a boxing match)
Important Points:
 Incision – sharp edged object causing it to break. Edges are
 Point of entry vs.
clean & regular, manner is tangential (“hiwa”, Example:
Point of exit
nahiwa ng kutsilyo)
 Products of
 Puncture – from a sharp, pointed object (icepicks, ballpens,
combustion
screwdrivers)
 Tattooing /
CLOSED – no breakage of the skin (Example: sprain) smudging /
 Petechiae – small extravasation of blood singeing
 Contusion – extravasation of blood causing discoloration of  Contusion collar
skin, no breakage of skin (“pasa”)
 Hematoma – encystment of blood causing a mass effect
(“bukol”,)

TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja Page 9 of 16

COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
 Burn Injury
 Example: picture is a burn injury from a heated spoon, as a
form of torture. This was commonly done during Martial
Law.
Self- inflicted Incised Wounds
 Hesitation cuts
 Have to note if these are self inflicted or defense wounds
Defense Wounds Sutured Lacerated Wounds
-- describe it as it is
Electrical Burns - Hair dryer Contact Burns
Pattern of wounds - one look and you already know
what caused the injury
“It is important to describe the wound. If you cannot
say if the wound is lacerated or a stab wound, you just
better describe the wound. Direct evidence is
presented in court, you can now state with certainty
that the instrument used can consistent with the injury
sustained.”
Example: The patient had a lacerated wound and went
to St. Lukes, was sutured, then went to UERM. How
would you describe it? “The patient came in with a
sutured wound.” NOT LACERATED WOUND.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
Description of Instrument Type:
 Example: The wound sustained is a stab wound, then the
complainant presents a rock. (“Nakakasaksak ba ang
bato?”)
Description of Instrument Size:
 Example: Instrument used is a bolo, and the injury is a 2 cm
stab wound
 Example: 5 cm stab wound, and the instrument is a Swiss
knife
Description of Anatomical Area/Laterality:
 Example: Victim claims he was stabbed at his right side,
your report says stab wound is on the left. (Tsktsk.)
PROBABLE QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED IN COURT
What could have caused the injuries?
Example: Lacerated wound on the left supraorbital area (Can be
caused by a blunt object was applied to the area: stine, butt of
the gun, fist, etc.)
Are the injuries consistent with the allegations of the patient /
victim?
Example: The victim was hit by a bat. Is your finding of an
incised wound consistent with the story of the patient? (A bat
cannot produce an incised wound. Dapat lacerated.)
What is the probable position between the victim and the
assailant?
Example: Used in gunshot wounds – left or right, higher or lower
position of the assailant in relation to the victim
Example: Assailant is from the right, stab wound I on the left
anterior axillary line. But there were 2 assailants. The assailant
from the right can be acquitted since the injury is on the left.
How many possible assailants are there?
How many weapons could have been used?
Which of the injuries were inflicted first?
Were the injuries accidental, homicidal or suicidal (or self-
inflicted)?
Example: There is no such thing as suicidal palmar strangulation,
it is always homicidal or murder.
Example: Note handedness - in suicide by gunshot wounds.
Point of entry should match the side of the victim will use
dominant’s hand.
Example: Cadaveric spasm – Findings were: Point of entry: left;
Point of exit: right; Cadaveric spasm: left upper extremity.
Theory of suicide is very strong.
Are the wounds mortal / fatal?
Mortal: can cause death at that instance
 Example: gunshot wound to the carotid arteries
Non-mortal: person will not die even without medical attention
 Example: gunshot wound to the forefinger. Judgment call
of the doctor
PHYSICAL INJURIES: CONCLUSION
- “Barring any complications or injuries not clinically apparent at
the time of examination, patient’s injuries shall require medical
attendance or shall incapacitate the patient from performing his
habitual work for a period of not less than ______ days but not
more than _____ days.”
CATEGORIES OF PHYSICAL INJURIES:
- SLIGHT INJURY: 0-9 days required for medical attendance and
time that the patient is rendered incapacitated.
- LESS SERIOUS INJURY: More than 9 days but less than 30 days
- SERIOUS INJURY: more than 30 days
Page 10 of 16
 Even if less than 30 days but injury results to insanity,
impurity, impunity, blindness, loss of function,
permanent deformity like a scar in the face, it is
considered a serious physical injury.
PARICIDE - Killing of ascendants, descendants and
spouse
INFLICTION – Killing of brother and sister
EXAMPLE: FRACTURED HUMERUS, LEFT HAND.
- The complainant is right handed lawyer and was able to return to
rd
work on the 3 day. Lawyers don’t need hands for them to work.
Why classify it as a serious type of physical injury?
- Answer: According to the law, “Will require medical attendance
or shall incapacitate the patient.” The patient may not be
incapacitated by more than 31 days, but will require medical
attention for more 31 days. Because fractures heal for 2 months
to 2 years.
VIRGINITY
- Not have been altered carnally
- Carnal – sexual knowledge
- “Only woman can be a virgin” – only women have hymens
2 KINDS:
MORAL
 One who does not know the sex act
 One who have not experienced sexual relations
 Children below the age of puberty, and whose sex organs
and secondary characterstics not yet developed
PHYSICAL
Woman is conscious of the nature of sexual life but have not yet
experienced sexual intercourse.
 TRUE PHYSICAL VIRGINITY
- Woman is virgin, hymen is intact, inserting the smallest
finger can evoke pain
- Hymen edges are distict and regular, with a small
opening barely admitting the tip of the smallest finger
even if the thighs are separated.
 FALSE PHYSICAL VIRGINITY
- Same as true virgin, but vaginal canal is lax, with less
degree of resistance (Example: Can accommodate at
least 2 fingers)
- May have previous sexual relations
DEMI-VIRGIN
Permits partner of all sexual acts as long as they abstain from
rupturing the hymen
May have other forms of sexual abuses for their mutual
satisfaction but not to the extent of rupturing the hymen
MYTH 1: A virgin bleeds during her first time.
MYTH 2: The first time must be painful. False, may not be painful
if the woman is aroused, well lubricated.
DEFLORATION: laceration of the hymen as a result of sexual
intercourse
Unruptured hymen is not always a sure indication of
preservation of virginity.
Hymen can be lacerated even before first contact.
Other ways of having a laceration of the hymen:
biking, aerobics, gymnastics, horseback riding, intense
scratching, instrumentation, masturbation, trauma
VIRGO INTACTA
Truly virtuous woman
Woman who had isolated sexual intercourses or even habitually,
provided she had not born a child
Virginity is not the same as chastity.
A woman may resort to many forms of homosexual as
well as heterosexual practise without losing her
virginity, yet she is unchaste. A woman may have
ruptured hymen and other signs of loss of physical
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
virginity, but she is chaste. She may resort to
masturbation with rupture of the hymen and dilatation
of the vaginal canal, yet she is still a virgin.
POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE
CONDITION OF VIRGINITY
BREASTS – not a good basis of determination of physical
virginity. The breasts are firm and the nipples are small and
surrounded by areola which are pinkish brown or brown in
color.young adults have different shapes of breasts. A fully
developed virgin breast may be:
 Hemispherical
 Conical
 Infantile or flat
 Pendulous
 Combination – conically pendulous or hemishperically
pendulous
VAGINAL CANAL – tight and rugosities are prominent and sharp,
has a certain degree of resistance upon insertion of finger or
instrumentation. Not a good basis of virginity. (others have a
naturally lax canal and other have a tight canal even they have
had previous sexual intercourses.)
LABIA MAJORA AND MINORA – Again, not a good sign of
virginity.
FOURCHETTE AND PERINEUM - not a good sign of virginity.
HYMEN – the presence of unruptured hymen does not always
show virginity.
KINDS OF LACERATIONS:
INCOMPLETE – does not involve the whole width or height of the
hymen
 Superficial: laceration does not reach ½ of the whole width
of the hymen
 Deep: laceration reaches ½ of the width of the hymen, but
does not reach the base
COMPLETE – laceration which involves the whole width, but
does not reach the base
COMPLICATED - not only the hymen is lacerated, but also the
surrounding structures (perineum, vaginal canal, urethra or
rectum)
Location of the laceration is described like the face of
the clock (10 o’ clock, 2 o’ clock laceration)
CRIMES OF CHASTITY
- Private crimes
- Only the victim has the right to file a complaint to the exclusion
of others, unless the victim is a minor or a retardate.
- Rape, seduction, adultery concubinage, acts of lasciviousness,
abduction
RAPE
Man having carnal knowledge with a woman with the use of
force, intimidation, deprived of reason; when the woman is
unconscious, sleeping
When the woman is under 12 years old even though neither of
the circumstances mentioned in the two next preceding
paragraphs shall be present
CARNAL KNOWLEDGE
Act of a man having a sexual connection with a
woman. There is carnal knowledge of there is the
slightest penetration of the sexual organ of the female
by the sexual organ of the male.
IN THE OLD LAW:
 Rape is considered as crime against chastity
 Only a woman can be a victim of rape. (For men to have
sex, must have erect penis  arousal  unnatural for men
to be victims of rape
 There is no such thing as marital rape
 Sodomy (Anal sex) only considered as act of lasciviousness
(Penalty: up to 6 years imprisonment)
Page 11 of 16
 IN THE NEW LAW:
 RAPE: insertion of any object in the genitalia (May it be an
erect or limp penis, finger, fingers, fist, soda can, soda
bottle, etc.
 Rape is now considered as crime against persons
 A man now can be a victim of rape.
 Sodomy is now considered as rape
UNCONSCIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENDED PARTY
 Act committed while the woman was asleep
 Act committed after the woman was knocked unconscious
 Administration of narcotics
 Lethargy produced by sickness
WHEN THE WOMAN IS BELOW 12 YEARS OF AGE
 It is always rape regardless the fact that no force or
intimidation was applied or the child is not deprivd of
reason or otherwise conscious
 Is also rape even if the child consented or even if the child is
a prostitute
 REASON: one must not take advantage of the meager
intelligence and incomplete physical development of a child
 If the consent was induced by the administration of drugs
which INCITES HER PASSION and the drug DOES NOT
DEPRIVE HER OF REASON, the ACCUSED IS NOT GUILTY. 
CAN A WOMAN BE RAPED WHILE SHE IS ON HER NATURAL
SLEEP?
 It may happen, but highly improbable.
CAN RAPE BE COMMITTED ON A PROSTITUTE?
 Yes. Virginity or unchaste character is not a necessary
element of the crime of rape.
CAN A WOMAN COMMIT THE CRIME OF RAPE ON A MAN?
 It can only be committed on a woman and not a man
(inclusion UNIUS ET EXCLUSION ALTERIOS) she committed
Acts of lasciviousness.
MAY RAPE CAUSE DEATH?
 Yes. The introduction of a matured male sex organ into the
vagina of a young girl may produce local injury sufficient to
produce death (hemorrhage, gangrene, peritonitis)
ACTS OF LASCIVIOUSNESS
Touching of private parts with an attempt to lay
If touching private parts just to annoy, is it not acts of
lasciviousness, but UNJUST VEXATION. (Penalty: P100)
You have to prove the intention for it to be classified as acts of
lasciviousness.
Lascivious acts are conducts which tend to excite lust or
produce voluptuous or lewd emotion
ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME
The offender commits any act of lasciviousness and was
committed by the following means:
 Using force or intimidation
 Depriving the offended party of reason or otherwise
unconscious
 When the woman is under 12 years of age.
ACTS OF LASCIVIOUSNESS with CONSENT (REQUISITES):
 The offender must be a man who committed acts of
lasciviousness
 Victim is a woman who is a virgin, or single, or a widow of
good reputation, over 12 years and under 18 years of age
 The offender was able to perform the lascivious acts by
abuse of confidence, authority, relationship or deceit.
QUALIFIED SEDUCTION
The seduction of a 12-18 year old committed by any person in
public authority, priest, house-servant, domestic, guardian,
teacher or any person shall be entrusted the education or
custody of the woman seduced
REQUISITES:
 The virginity of the offended party
 Age of the offended party must be 12-18 y/o
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
 Carnal knowledge of the offended party
 Act was done by abuse in authority
SEDUCTION
Man having unlawful sexual intercourse with a woman; having
an affair, sex is consensual
(*** Sexual intercourse: both man and woman)
Only a man can be charged of seduction, and only a woman can
file a case of seduction
QUALIFIED INCESTUOUS SEDUCTION
Can be father to daughter, but not mother to son
Committed on the sister of descendant
Victim may need not be a virgin or 18 years of age
SIMPLE SEDUCTION
Woman not necessarily a virgin, 12-18 years old, single or a
widow of good reputation and was committed by deceit
Example: Young, gwapo, prof who is interested with
his beautiful beautiful student:
“I will pass you in Legal Med if you will come with me
in exchange for some sexytime.”
Then after the deed, the prof breaks up with you and
fails the student. (There is deceit, abuse of trust)
Deceit – there is cheating, misrepresentation
Distinction between Qualified and Simple Seduction:
 Virginity is an element of qualified, but not of simple
 Deceit is an element of simple, but not of qualified
ABDUCTION
FORCIBLE ABDUCTION
 Taking away of a woman with lewd design
LEWD DESIGN
Desire to have sex with a woman. The intent to seduce
is sufficient sexual intercourse is not necessary to
convict the abductor.
 The woman need not be a virgin, 12-18 years old, as long as
there is use of force
 If successful of having sex: Abduction with rape
REQUISITES:
 Person abducted must be a woman
 Abduction is against her will
 There must be lewd designs
CONSENTED ABDUCTION
 Abduction of a virgin 12-18 years old, carried out with her
consent and with lewd designs
 “Tanan”
 Filed by the parents of the daughter against the boyfriend
ADULTERY
Married woman having sex with a man other than her husband,
and by the man who has carnal knowledge of her, knowing her
to be married.
Who can be charged?: married woman and her lover
Defense of the lover/paramour: “I did not know that she is
married!”
CONCUBINAGE
Married man having sexual intercourse with a woman other
than his wife (Concubine)
Penalty:
 Of the concubine: Destierro
 Of the married man: no penalty 
How is Concubinage committed?
 Keeping the mistress in the conjugal homes
 Having scandalous sex
 Cohabiting with the concubine.
Page 12 of 16
CORRUPTION OF MINORS
A person who habitually or with abuse of authority or confidence
promote or facilitate the prostitution or the corruption of
persons under age to satisfy the lust of another
WHITE SLAVE TRADE
Engaging in the business or shall profit by prostitution or
enlisting the services of women for the purpose of prostitution.
CIVIL LIABILITY OF PERSONS GUILTY OF SOME CRIMES
OF CHASTITY
- To indemnify the offended woman
- To acknowledge the offspring; unless the law should prevent him
from so doing;
- In every case to support the offspring
UNNATURAL SEXUAL OFFENSES
- Deviation to the normal course of nature
- Uncommonly observed manifestations of sexual perversion
- Do not exhibit criminal intent, but manifesting mental aberrations
which may be a subject matter for the psychiatrist to treat
- Factors responsible for sexual maladjustments: environment,
degree of education, degree of morality, habits
MASTURBATION or SELF GRATIFICATION:
 A criminal act if done in public places or within knowledge
or view of the public
INDECENT EXPOSURE or EXHIBITIONISM
 willful exposure in public areas of one’s genitals in the
presence of another person, usually of the opposite sex
 exhibition of genitals with or without masturbatory acts
 Harmful in the sense of decency and good moral, hence, it is
punishable
BUGGERY
 A form of sexual perversion wherein a person obtains sexual
gratification with animals of by means of the anus of
human beings
- Sodomy – through anus of human being
- Bestiality – gratification is by means of sexual relations
with animals :}
- Pederastia – the passive role is played by a boy 
PEDOPHILIA
 Has sexual or erotic love for children
 Engages sexual contact with child of either sex
TRIBADISM or LESBIANISM
 Woman has sexual intercourse with another woman
 As a result of curiosity or sex experimentation
 Some lesbians have antipathy towards men
FETISHISM
 Found in the male only
 Objects such as female clothing or part of the female body
as the sole power to arouse sexual feeling or produce
orgasm
TRANSVERTISM
 Perversion among males who find sexual pleasure in
wearing female apparel
 Sometimes found in women who desire to dress in male
attire
 A transvestite has a psychic identification with the opposite
sex. (Example: A female transvestite believes she has a
penis)
 As a rule, they are “harmless”  they have no desire to
harm anyone, only interested in attracting attention. 
ALGOLAGNIA
 Abnormal and distorted activity of sexual impulse towards
the opposite sex with pain as the source of sexual stimulus
 Flagellation is the sexual deviation associated with the act
of whipping or being whipped.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja
COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
 Sadism: infliction of pain is necessary and sometimes the
sole factor in enjoyment. Called necrosadism or lust murder
if the victim dies.
 Masochism: reverse of sadism. Enjoyment is attained when
pain or humiliation has been received from the opposite sex
FELLATIO or IRRUMATION
 Female agent receiving a penis of a man into her mouth and
by friction with the lips and tongue coupled with the act of
sucking initiate orgasm
 Compatible with a normal individual, and may not be
considered as a sexual abnormality
CUNNILINGUS
 Sexual gratification is attained by licking or sucking the
external female genitalia
 Also not considered as a sexual abnormality
 Accessory form of sexual excitation, except when associated
with other forms of abnormalities
FROTTAGE
 Compulsive desire to rub against some part of the body of
another, generally the opposite sex
 Often pretend that rubbing is accidental (Example: In
crowded trains, buses, etc)
PARTIALISM
 Person has a special affinity to a certain part of the female
anatomy
 Sexual intercourse is usually secondary to satisfy his sexual
desire
TROILISM
 Three persons participate in the sexual act (aka ménage a
trois)
 Two men and a woman; two women and a man
PLURALISM
 Group of people participate in sexual orgies
VOYEURISM
 Compulsion to peep for the purpose of seeing persons
undress or engage in sexual relation
MIXOSCOPIA
 Sexual pleasure is attained by watching a couple in the act
of sexual intercourse
COPROLALIA
 The need to use obscene language to obtain sexual
excitement
 By writing on walls of toilets or by exclaiming profane words
or obscene expressions
 Example: “****, ***** ******** ****!!!”( wag na lang)
UROLAGNIA
 Sexual excitement is associated with the act of urination.
May have the desire to drink the urine of the sexual partner
COPROPHILIA
 Sexual excitement is associated in the act of defecating
DON JUANISM
 Characterized by sexual promiscuity and make seduction of
many women as a career
 Usually, they cannot find their ideal woman in their life. 
NECROPHILIA
- Erotic desire or actual sexual intercourse with a corpse
 (Think about Anatomy gross laboratory)
SATYRIASIS and NYMPHOMANIA
 Excessive desire of intercourse in men and women,
respectively
ANILINGUS
 Sexual excitement is associated with licking the anus of
another person of either sex
Page 13 of 16
 PYGMALIONISM c. Combustion collar
 Sexual desire with a statue or statues d. Smudging

NARCISSISM 2. If all the evidences of the product of combustion are present at

 Extreme admiration and love of one’s self the point of entry of gunshot wounds, the probable distance
 Sexual gratification is attained by looking at the mirror and could be
appreciating his own self :} a. Not more than six inches (6”)
b. Beyond twenty four inches (24”)
MISCELLANEOUS c. More than 2 meters (2m)
d. Less than 3 meters (3m)
DISGUISED WRITING
Deliberate attempt on the part of the writer to alter his writing 3. The farthest distance that tattooing can be visible by the naked
habit by endeavouring to invent a new writing style or imitation eye is
the writing of another person. a. Six inches (6’)
 Example: writing an anonymous love letter, death threats b. Twenty four inches (24”)
to professors c. Thirty four inches (34”)
Forged signature/writing: done slowly d. Forty four inches (44”)
 How to know if a handwriting or signature is forged or 4. The best consideration in determining the relative position of the
spurious: take pictures, magnify it 1000x. Original: only one victim in relation to the assailant in a shooting incident is:
stroke, thick and dark a. Width of the contusion collar
Forged: light b. Concentration of smudging and tattooing
BASIC DEFINITIONS IN BALLISTICS c. Shape of the point of entrance to the exit of the gunshot
wound
INTERNAL BALLISTICS – what happens outside the gun
d. Relationship of the entrance to the exit of the gunshot
EXTERNAL BALLISTICS – what happens outside the gun
wound
TERMINAL BALLISTICS – what happens when the bullet hits an
object 5. The most prominent sign of death is
MEDICAL BALLISTICS – what happens when the bullet hits a a. Progressive fall of the body temperature
person → only a doctor can testify b. Cessation of heart action and circulation
c. Cessation of respiration
GUNSHOT WOUND (GSW)
d. Insensibility of body and loss of power to move
Which comes out first? “BALA muna”
How to tell the distance of the shooter from the one who was 6. The entire muscular tissue undergo changes after death EXCEPT:
shot… When you see.. a. Postmortem muscular irritability
 Burning or scorching – not more than 3 inches (pistol) and b. Postmortem rigidity
6 inches (rifle) c. Secondary flaccidity
 Smoke (soot, smudging, fouling, smoke blackening) – not d. Cadaveric spasm
more than 12 inches distance
 Tattooing (stippling or peppering) – not more than 24 7. Death due to extensive brain laceration as a result of a vehicular
inches accident is an example of:
 None – more than 24 inches a. Immediate cause of death
The more concentrating/tattooing of carbon, the nearer the b. Proximate cause of death
shooting c. Secondary cause of death
PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION – show the distance of shooting d. Manner of death

ABRASION/CONTUSION COLLAR – appears circular if the shooter is in 8. Infanticidal death is killing of a child:
front of the victim and oblique if otherwise. a. Below 3 days old
b. Below 3 weeks old
PARAFFIN TEST c. Below 3 months old
Results only presumptive d. Below 3 years old
Do in the DORSUM of the hand
Must be done within 3 days 9. Which would indicate that a gun was fired at a short range?
False (+) – smoker, shooting range a. Abrasion collar
False (-) – shooter wore gloves, used vinegar to remove debris?, b. Smudging
excessive handwashing, testing days after shooting c. Edges of gunshot wound are inverted
d. Smaller point of entry in gunshot wounds
PARICIDE
10. The application of scientific knowledge or science to elucidate
killing of spouse, ascendants/descendants (whether legal or
legal problem is
illegal)
a. Medical jurisprudence
b. Legal medicine
Greetings to: c. Forensic medicine
 El Maestro Miko Ramoso d. Forensic pathology
 MR. Gerald Libranda na ayaw maniwala na may legal 11. The scope of Legal Medicine includes:
med trans a. Anatomy
 My study buddies sa Mini Stop. b. Physiology
 UERM Red Cross members c. Physics
d. AOTA
SAMPLE EXAM QUESTIONS e. NOTA

I included this part, so that it would be fair for everyone. 12. Types of medical evidence EXCEPT:
a. Autoptic or real evidence
1. The products of combustion produced by a firearm that will give a b. Testimonial evidence
physical finding in the point of entry are the following, EXCEPT: c. Experimental evidence
a. Singeing d. Documentary evidence
b. Tattooing e. Photographic evidence

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COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
 23. The following officials of the government are authorized to make
13. The most prominent sign of death is: death investigations, EXCEPT:
a. Progressive fall of the body temperature a. Provincials of City Fiscals
b. Cessation of heart action and circulation b. Judges of regional trial court
c. Cessation of respiration c. Director of the Philippine National Police
d. Insensibility of body and loss of power to move d. Director of the National Bureau of Investigation
14. One example of a smooth bore firearm is e. Justices of the Supreme Court
a. Armalite 24. In the strict sense of the word FORENSIC MEDICINE means:
b. Smith and Wesson handgun a. Application of medicine to legal cases
c. Heretta b. Application of medical science to elucidate legal problems
d. Paltik c. Knowledge of law in relation in the practice of medicine
15. The identification of firearm or ballistics is important in firearm d. NOTA
injuries since it helps in the: e. AOTA
a. Differentiation between entrance and exit gunshot wounds 25. The commonly used method of deception detection are the
b. Determination of the relative position of the victim to the following EXCEPT:
assailant a. Se of polygraph or lie detection machine
c. Determination of the distance fired b. Administration of truth serum
d. Identification of the weapon used c. Hypnotism
16. That kind of evidence necessary for conviction which proves the d. Use of electro-encephalogram machine
fact in dispute without the aid of any inference of presumption 26. Things demanded in a medical witness:
and which correspond to precise or actual point at issue: a. Unbiased in his/her testimony
a. Circumstantial evidence b. Expected his/her field of specialty
b. Direct evidence c. Experienced in his/her field of specialty
c. Preponderance of evidence d. AOTA
d. Documentary evidence e. NOTA
17. Reasons for the inadmissibility to the court on the result of Lie 27. A physician who specializes or is involved primarily with medico-
Detector Examination are the following EXCEPT: legal duties is known as:
a. Polygraph techniques are still in the experimental stage. a. Medico-legal officer
b. There is no way to assure that a qualified examiner b. Medical examiner
administered the test. c. Coroner
c. The test cannot be relied upon because of many errors. d. AOTA
d. A person may unwillingly waive his/her right against self- e. Except letter C
incrimination.
e. The test has gained a degree of development beyond 28. Distinction between an ordinary physician and a medico-legal
experimental stage. officer are the following:
a. Ordinary physician sees an injury on the view point of
18. Increases of lactic acid, phosphoric acid, and the reaction become treatment, while a medico-legal officer sees injury on the
acidic in the muscles after death is found in point of view of cause
a. Postmortem rigidity b. The purpose of an ordinary physician examining a patient is
b. Cadaveric rigidity to arrive at a definite diagnosis so that proper treatment
c. AOTA can be administered while the purpose of a medico-legal
d. NOTA officer is to make a report and testify before a court
19. It is found in the most dependent portion of the body involving c. Minor injuries are ignored by an ordinary physician, while a
the superficial layer of the skin, color is dull red purplish, uniform medico-legal officer records all bodily injuries
not elevated which appear after death: d. AOTA
a. Postmortem lividity e. Except letter C
b. Postmortem suggilation 29. A physician witness who testifies in court on matters he perceive
c. Livor mortis from his patient in the course of physician/patient relationship is
d. AOTA considered as an:
e. NOTA a. Expert witness
20. The different test to determine cessation of heart action and b. Ordinary witness
circulation are the following: c. Paid witness
a. Magnus test d. AOTA
b. Icard’s test e. NOTA
c. Diaphanous test 30. In actual interrogation and recording in polygraph examination,
d. AOTA the following standard test question are pro founded EXCEPT:
e. NOTA a. Irrelevant question
21. In a fight, a man received a kick which damaged the right testis b. Relevant question
and required its surgical removal. The offender may be held liable c. Control question
for: d. Silent answer test
a. Less serious physical injury 31. Reasons for the inadmissibility to the court of the result of lie
b. Serious physical injury detector examination:
c. Mutilation a. Polygraph technique are still in the experimental stage
d. Frustrated homicide b. There is no way to assure that a qualified examiner
22. Killing of a father, mother, or child is administered the test
a. Homicide c. The test cannot be relied upon because of many errors
b. Infanticide d. All of the above
c. Parricide 32. It is an expressed acknowledgement by the accused in a criminal
d. Murder case of the truth of his guilt as to the crime charged:

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COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko
 a. Confession d. Any of the above
b. Admission
c. Interrogation 44. Contusion is also known as:
d. AOTA a. Hematoma
e. NOTA b. Sprain
c. Bruise
33. The scope of LEGAL MEDICINE includes: d. NOTA
a. Anatomy
b. Physiology 45. Abrasions are caused by:
c. Physics a. Blunt object
d. AOTA b. Sharp edged object
e. NOTA c. Friction
d. Blunt object
34. The following are the different types of Physical Evidence EXCEPT:
a. Corpus delicti evidence 46. Which statement is NOT valid?
b. Documentary evidence a. Cadaveric spasms may or may not appear after death
c. Associative evidence b. Rigor mortis involves all muscles of the body
d. Tracing evidence c. Rigor mortis develops early in cold weather
d. Rigor mortis sally appears 3 – 6 hours after death
35. Fractured skull recovered ring exhumation is:
a. Autoptic evidence 47. A person lost one eye after being physically assaulted. The
b. Documentary evidence offender is liable for:
c. Circumstantial evidence a. Mutilation
d. Experimental evidence b. Slight physical injury
c. Less serious physical injury
36. This is a medical evidence known or address to the senses of the d. Serious physical injury
court not limited to the sense of vision, but it is intended to that
of hearing, taste, smell, and touch. 48. The product of combustion produced by a firearm that will
a. Experimental evidence produce a physical finding in the point of entry of gunshot
b. Documentary evidence wounds, the following EXCEPT:
c. Autoptic or real evidence a. Singeing
d. Corpus evidence b. Tattooing
c. Contusion collar
37. To find out the truth is an essential requirement for the d. Smudging
administration of justice. Which of the following is the commonly
used method of deception detection? AS REQUESTED by *****.
a. Lie detection method
b. Use of drugs
c. Hypnotism
d. Confession

38. Presidential Decree No. 169 mandates all physicians to report all
cases involving:
a. Slight and less serious physical injuries
b. Less serious and serious physical injuries
c. Mutilation
d. Child abuse

39. The medical witness who refuses to answer questions

propounded to him may be cited for:
a. Dishonorable conduct
b. Perjury
c. Indirect contempt
d. Direct contempt

40. As a witness in court, a physician may refuse to answer a question

propounded to him if his answer:
a. Will not be relevant to the case at issue
b. Will be self-incriminatory
c. Will antagonize the judge
d. Will blacken the reputation of a friend

41. The odds in two persons having the same set of fingerprints is:
a. 1 to 64,000
b. 1 to 64 million Bonus!!
c. 1 to 64 billion
d. 1 to 64 trillion

42. A lacerated wound is caused by:

a. Sharp object
b. Blunt object
c. Sharp pointed object
d. Any of the above

43. An incised wound is caused by:

a. Sharp edged instrument
b. Sharp pointed object
c. Blunt object

TRANSCRIBED BY: Jorap Rosal & Rika De Borja Page 16 of 16

COPYREAD AND COMPILED BY: Mhyko