Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
LEGAL MEDICINE March 3, 1939 – The Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University of
JOPERSON G. PABLO, R.CRIM., REB, REA the Philippines was abolished and its functions were transferred to the medico-legal
section of the Division of Investigation.
July 4, 1942 – A medico-legal section of the Manila Police Department was created
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LEGAL MEDICINE IN THE PHILIPPINES under Dr. Pablo Anzures.
1858 – The first textbook in Legal Medicine and its practice by Dr. Rafael Genard Y 1945 – The Provost Marshall of the United States Army created the criminal
Mas, who is a Spanish chief army physician was published and is entitled “Manual de investigation laboratory with the Medical Examiner as an integral part under Dr.
Medecina Domestica.” Mariano Lara as the Chief Medical Examiner.
1871 – Legal medicine was included in the curriculum of the college of medicine in June 28, 1945 – the Division of Investigation was reactivated under the Department
the University of Santo Thomas. of Justice.
March 31, 1876 – The “medico titulares” which took charge of the public sanitation June 19, 1947 – The Bureau of Investigation was created by the Republic Act 157.
and medico-legal aid for the purpose of justice was created by the King of Spain in then, the Bureau of investigation was made the National Bureau of Investigation by
his Royal Decree No. 188. the Executive Order from the President of the Philippines. The medico-legal section
1894 – The “Medico Titulares of Forensic” which is about the regulation and its was created under the National Bureau of Investigation with its head Dr. Enrique V.
practice was published. de Los Santos.
1895 – A medico-legal laboratory was established in Manila to handle medico-legal The existence of the medico-legal division in the criminal laboratory of the G-2 of the
cases. Philippine Constabulary also occurred. At that time, all provincial, municipal and city
1898 – During the American regime, the Spanish Forensic Medicine System was health officers, physicians of hospitals, health centers, asylums, penitentiaries and
preserved. colonies became the ex-officio medico-legal officers. In remote places, the service of
1901 – The provincial, insular and municipal board of health (Acts 157, 307, 308) a “Cirujano Ministrante” or the Sanitary Inspector may perform the medico-legal work
was created by the Philippine Commission which is about the medico-legal duties of if a registered physician is not available.
“medico titulares” of the Spanish regime and its assignment to the health officers of
the respective areas.
1908 – Legal Medicine was taught in all medical schools in the Philippines. MEDICO-LEGAL SYSTEM - The medico-legal system adopted in a particular country
1919 – The Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University of the depends upon the laws of such country. The ones commonly used are the Medico-legal
Philippines was created under Dr. Sixto de Los Angeles as chief. Office System, Medical Examiner System and the Coroner System. Some countries
January 10, 1922 – The Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University employed the three systems at the same time but other countries preferred two or a certain
of the Philippines with its Department head was incorporated to the Philippine system.
General Hospital. MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICE SYSTEM
March 10, 1922 – The Philippine Legislature enacted Act No. 1043 which became o This is the medico-legal system used in the Philippines at present which is
incorporated in the administrative code as Section 2465 and provides that the handled by a Medical Jurist or Medico-legal Officer who is a registered
Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University of the Philippines became physician duly qualified to practice medicine in the Philippines. The National
a branch of the Department of Justice. bureau of Investigation, Manila Police Department and the Philippine
Constabulary had their own medico-legal offices with their own respective
December 10, 1937 – The creation of the Division of Investigation under the
Medico-legal Officers. The Medico-Legal Officer is the one who investigates
Department of Justice was done by the Commonwealth Act 181 in which a medico-
medico-legal cases of death, physical injuries, rape and other sexual crimes.
legal section was under the division with Dr. Gregorio T. Lantin as the head.
His duty is to examine the victim of assistant, to make a report and to appear
in court as expert witness when summoned by the proper authorities.
2
o In spite of several medico-legal cases in the Philippines, the medico-legal MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE - a branch of law which deals with the organization and
investigation is still insufficient because of the following reasons: regulation of the medical profession.
Look of proficiency by the physician in medico-legal work
Inadequate facilities NATURE OF THE STUDY OF LEGAL MEDICINE
inadequate means of transportation and communication Ability to acquire facts
Lack of sufficient training in medico-legal work by the police Power to arrange those facts in logical order
investigator and other law enforcement agent Draw a conclusion from the facts that may be useful in the administration of justice
Insufficient physician and personnel to handle medico-legal cases
DEATH INVESTIGATION
MEDICAL EXAMINER SYSTEM deals with the postmortem investigation of sudden and unexpected death.
o In some parts of the United States, the Medical Examiner System is the is a component of work performed by forensic pathologist.
preferred, although the Coroner System is still used in some states. The
Medical Examiner System is handled by the Chief Medical Examiner who is a FORENSIC PATHOLOGY - a branch of medicine associated with the study of structural
Doctor of Medicine and appointed by the Mayor from the classified lists changes in the body caused by disease or injury.
compiled by the Civil Medical Examiner is on a 24-hour work with clerical
staff always present. BRANCHES OF PATHOLOGY
o The duty of the Medical Examiner is to investigate the cause of death Anatomic – deals with structural alterations of the human body.
especially violent death or other circumstances leading to the death of the Clinical – deals with laboratory examinations of samples removed from the body.
victim. The Medical Examiner on duty after being informed by the police
officer of a certain crime that needs to be investigated will go to the place of WHO ARE ALLOWED TO CONDUCT EXAMINATION?
the crime, interview witnesses, examine the victim and then take specimens Health officers
if any, for examination. Medical officers of law enforcement agencies
o During trial, the Medical Examiner will then present his medical report to the Forensic pathologist
court.
CORONER SYSTEM - probably originated in England, although there are no records DEATH SCENE INVESTIGATION
of its actual origin. In common law, the office of the Coroner is a very ancient one. For the pathologist and criminal investigator to perform a thorough investigation, the
The name “Coroner” is probably derived from the title “Custodes Placitorum Coronne” death scene must be well-documented.
or “Keeper of the King’s Pleas” as mentioned in Articles of Eyre of 1194. Magna By understanding the role of the pathologist and the natural changes that occur in the
Charta (1215) refers to the coroner as “Coronator”. A report although there is body after death, the criminal investigator can gather information that is useful to
evidence that coroner existed in Australia, United States and other colonies of everyone involved in the investigation.
England.
ROLES OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
Establishing cause of death (REASON)
LEGAL MEDICINE - branch of medicine that deals with the application of medical knowledge Establishing manner of death (MODE)
to the purposes of law and in the administration of justice. Estimating time of death (TIME)
FORENSIC MEDICINE - a branch of medical science which deals with application of medical
knowledge to elucidate legal problems.
3
CLASSIFICATION OF WOUND OR PHYSICAL INJURY SHOTGUN WOUND - an open wound produced by the penetration of pellets or shot within
As to severity: the tissues of the body. In shotgun fire, the pellets penetrate and usually lodged inside the
o Mortal Wound – wound which when inflicted to the body is immediately body and a tendency for a wider dispersion of pellets at a certain distance except in contact
followed by death or one which is serious that will endangered the life of the and near contact fire.
victim.
o Non-mortal Wound - wound which when inflicted to the body is not LOCAL EFFECTS OF COLD TEMPERATURE
immediately followed by death or one which is not so serious that will FROSTBITE – a condition of exposure to cold temperature of certain parts of the
endangered the life of the victim. body which produced mechanical disruption of cell structure and is characterized by
As to the kind of instrument used: diminished body temperature, cold stiffening and pallor which is later on lead to
o Wounds produced by blunt instrument swelling, thrombosis, necrosis and gangrene of the affected tissues.
o Wounds produced by sharp edged instrument TRENCH FOOT – a condition usually seen among those walking over the snow
o Wounds produced by sharp pointed instrument wherein the foot is exposed to freezing temperature characterized by cold stiffening,
o Wounds produced by sharp edged and sharp pointed instrument muscle cramp, necrosis and gangrene of the foot.
o Wounds produced by tearing force IMMERSION FOOT – a sub-variety of trench foot when the foot is submerged into a
o Wounds produced by change of environmental pressure cold freezing liquid characterized by decreased body temperature, cold stiffening.
Muscle cramp, necrosis and gangrene of the muscles in the foot.
GUNSHOT WOUND - an open wound produced by the penetration of bullet slug within the
tissues of the body. The bullet slug which was propelled from the gun as well as the flame
from the heated expanded gases in short range fire is the one that produces the injury.
7
LOCUS MINORIS RESISTANCIA - injury found both at the site or opposite the site of the
STRANGULATION application of the force but in some areas offering least resistance to the force applied.
a form of asphyxiation from compression of the neck
Hard blows to the neck may also cause strangulation. EXTENSIVE INJURY - injury involving a greater area beyond the site of the application of
Manual strangulation is homicide. force.
There may be bruising or marks on neck – sometimes they will only show during
autopsy PATTERN INJURIES - an abrasion or other injury in which the shape of the object that
Hyoid bone may be fractured. caused the injury leaves a negative impression on the body.
A ligature is a cord or wire used for tying.
Strangulation by ligature may be homicide or suicide. INCISED (CUTTING) INJURIES
Wound Characteristics:
Close inspection of the neck may show evidence of a ligature.
Clean edges
PETECHIAL HEMORRHAGES Minimum bruising
They are pinpoint capillary ruptures visible on the skin and in the eyes. No bridging of nerves or vessels
They are caused by a build-up of pressure as a result of asphyxiation or Wounds tend to be longer than deep
strangulation. Overlaying hair can be cut
Presence of petechial hemorrhages does not automatically make the death a Bleeds freely
homicide Instrument is seldom indicated by wound
Petechial hemorrhages are also found in cases of: Little trace evidence
o Heart attack
o Drowning STAB WOUNDS CHARACTERISTICS
o Electrocutions Result of a pointed or sharp object forced inward
o Suicides Tends to be deeper than wide
o Hangings Presents danger to vital organs
Often little or no external blood
HANGING - an asphyxiation by strangulation using rope, cord or similar material to work May indicate the type of weapon used
against the weight of the body. o Length
o Width
COUP AND CONTRE COUP INJURIES o Hilt mark
COUP INJURIES signifies that the injuries are located beneath the impact site Tip of the weapon may break off in the wound
(usually caused by blow)
CONTRE COUP INJURIES are on the opposite side from where the blow was STAB WOUNDS CHARACTERISTICS
initiated. (can be caused by fall) Can have characteristics of both incised and lacerated wounds
External injuries may be absent. Extensive damage
o Avulsion (skin removal)
COUP CONTRE COUP INJURIES - injury found at the site and also opposite the application o Eviscerations (organ removal)
of force. Possible broken bones
9
DEFENSIVE WOUNDS - injuries that occur to victim as they are attempting to defend Vaginal canal
themselves from attack. Labia majora minora
Wounds are usually found on: Fourshette & perineum
o Hands Hymen
o Fingers Rougosites
o Arms
They can be in forms of: DEFLORATION - the laceration or rupture of the hymen as a result of sexual intercourse.
o Cuts – fending off knife attack.
o Bruises – blocking blows. CLASSIFICATION OF DEFLORATION
o Gunshot wounds through arms – while raising arms in front in a defensive Incomplete Laceration
posture. o Superficial
o Deep
CLASSIFICATION OF TRAUMATIC DEATHS Complete
MECHANICAL TRAUMA Complicated
o Blunt
o Sharp HEALING TIME OF HYMENAL LACERATION
CHEMICAL TRAUMA superficial – 2 to 3 days
o Alcohol extensive tear – 7 to 10 days
Ethyl complicated – if with intervening infection will require longer to heal
Ethanol
o Drugs DURATION OF LACERATION OF THE HYMEN
THERMAL TRAUMA fresh bleeding laceration – rupture quite recent
o Hypothermia (Cold)
healing – after 24 to 7 days
o Hyperthermia (Hot)
recently healed – 7 days to 3 months
ELECTRICAL TRAUMA
old healed – 3 months to years
o Low Voltage
o High Voltage
MEDICAL EVIDENCE TO CONSIDER IN SEXUAL CRIMES
Evidence from the victim
KINDS OF VIRGINITY
Alleged time and place of the commission of the crime
Moral virginity
Date, time and place of the examination
Demi-virginity
Condition of clothing
Virgo-Inacta
Physical and mental development of victim
Physical Virginity
Gait, facial expression etc
o True physical virginity
Examination of body for sign of violence
o False physical virginity
Examination of genetalia
DETERMINATION OF THE CONDITION OF VIRGINITY o hymen
o hymental orifice
Breast
10
o vaginal canal
o rougosites
o fourshette
o pubic hair
o labias
o presence of spermatozoa
PREGNANCY - a state of a woman who has within her body the going product of conception.