LEGAL MEDICINE

ATTY. YAZMINE BAJAMUNDI-PURA, M.D.

 LEGAL MEDICINE
Apply scientific knowledge and skills

Medicolegal issues

In order to assist the trier of facts in dispensing justice

 MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE
- Study of rights, duties and obligations (RDO)
of physicians to their patients
in a Doctor-Patient relationship
 HISTORY OF LEGAL MEDICINE
PHYSICIAN TIME CONTRIBUTION
IMHOTEP 2600 BC Studies in Pathology and Physiology related to Legal
Medicine

HIPPOCRATES 460-355 BC Father of Medicine; discussed the lethal effects of wounds

ANTISTIUS 44 BC Autopsy on Julius Ceasar

DR. PAOLO ZACCHIA 1584-1659 Father of Forensic Medicine;
First to describe the importance and application of medicine
to the proper administration of justice

DR. PEDRO P. SOLIS 1987 Bible of Philippine Legal Medicine

 LEGAL MEDICINE
Generally, a licensed Physician:
- considered expert in legal medicine, and
- his testimony in a court of law concerning one or more of the following are
admissible as evidence
(not exclusive list):

1. DOA/ Dead on Arrival/ Dying on Arrival

2. Alleged/ Suspected criminal activities
 LEGAL MEDICINE
3. Sudden/ violent/ suspicious/ unexpected/
unexplained death, disabilities, injuries
4. Medically unattended death
5. Vehicular injuries and death
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
• Paternity and Filiation
• Annulment of marriage
• DNA testing
• Violation of regulations (food, medicine, pesticide, etc)
• Vehicular emissions within permissible levels
• Drinking water meets legal purity requirements
• Monitoring of compliance of countries with International agreements
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE

GUNSHOT WOUND
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
STAB WOUNDS vs CUT WOUNDS
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
ASPHYXATION – by hanging/ strangulation
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
ASPHYXATION –
• by obstruction of victim’s air passage,
• compression of chest,
• replacement of oxygen in the red blood cell by another gas
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
PRESENCE OF SUBSTANCES IN THE VICTIM, IN THE CRIMINAL OR
THE CRIME SCENE
APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
DROWNING
APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
FINGERPRINT
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINE
DNA/ DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
 LEGAL MEDICINE AND THE LEGAL
SYSTEM
EXPERT WITNESS ORDINARY WITNESS

The opinion of a witness on a matter requiring
special knowledge, skill, experience, training or
education (SK SETE) which he or she is shown
to possess, may be received in evidence (R130, S
51)
All persons who can perceive, and perceiving,
can make known their perception to others, may
be witnesses
(R 130, S 21)

Allowed to express an opinion about the validity Not allowed

of the evidence in a case.

Hypothetical questions can be asked Not allowed

 LEGAL MEDICINE AND THE LEGAL
SYSTEM
FACTUM PROBANDUM =Ultimate facts or proposition to be
established

FACTUM PROBANS =Material evidence to prove or

establish the fact or proposition
 LEGAL MEDICINE AND THE LEGAL
SYSTEM
Physician must present:

RELEVANT EVIDENCE When it has the tendency in reason to establish the probability or
improbability of a fact in issue

MATERIAL EVIDENCE That quality of evidence, which tends to influence the trier of facts
because of logical connection with the issue

COMPETENT EVIDENCE Group of evidence which is not excluded by law

 LEGAL MEDICINE AND THE LEGAL
SYSTEM
REQUISITES OF ADMISSIBILITY OF EXPERT TESTIMONY:

1. The subject under examination requires that the court has the aid of knowledge or
experience that cannot be obtained from ordinary witnesses.
2. The witness called as an expert must possess the knowledge, skill or experience
needed to inform the court about the particular case under consideration.
3. Expert testimony is not admissible as to a matter not in issue.
 QUANTUM OF PROOF
CIVIL CASES:
PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE

CRIMINAL CASES:
PROOF BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT

ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS:
SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL MEDICINE TO
LAW
CIVIL LAW CRIMINAL LAW REMEDIAL LAW SPECIAL LAWS

1. Civil personality – Art. 1. Felonies & 1. Physical and mental 1. RA 9165 – Dangerous
41, NCC circumstances which examination of Drugs Act
2. Capacity to act – Art. affect criminal liability persons – Rule 28 2. PD 603 – Youth and
37, NCC – Title 1, Book 1 RPC 2. Hospitalization of Child Welfare Code
3. Marriage and legal 2. Civil liability ex insane persons – Rule
separation – Art. 45 delicto – Title 5 101
(5,6), 55 (1,2,9), FC
 APPLICATION OF LEGAL MEDICINE TO
LAW
CIVIL LAW CRIMINAL LAW REMEDIAL LAW SPECIAL LAWS

4. Paternity/ Filiation 3. Crimes against persons 3. Rules on Evidence 3. Sanitation Code

5. Testamentary capacity – Title 8, Book 2 4. Insurance Law
of a person making a will 4. Chastity – Title 11 5. Labor Code
- Art. 797, 798, 799, NCC 5. Civil status – Title 12 6. RA 9262 – VAWC
6. The right to hereditary 6. Quasi-offenses – Title 7. RA 7610 – Child abuse,
succession - Art. 777, NCC 14 exploitation and
discrimination
THANK YOU !
 REFERENCE
• OLARTE, Leo, Legal Medicine, Quezon City: Central book supply (2020)
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