forensic medicine

forensic medicine: see medical jurisprudence.

Science of applying medical knowledge to legal questions, recognized as a specialty since the early 19th century. Its primary tool has always been the autopsy, to identify the dead (e.g., plane-crash victims) or determine cause of death, which can significantly affect trials dealing with insurance and inheritance. Forensic psychiatry determines the mental health of an individual about to stand trial. Forensic genetics allows paternity to be determined and can identify blood or other tissue samples as coming from a particular person (see DNA fingerprinting). Forensic toxicology, concerned with such topics as intentional poisonings and drug use, is increasingly important in cases of industrial and environmental poisoning.

Learn more about forensic medicine with a free trial on Britannica.com.

The Centre for Forensic Medicine, formerly known as the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine (ISFM), was one of the seven centres within the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore. Prior to the formation of ISFM in 1989, the Department was a section within the Department of Pathology under the Singapore Ministry of Health.

From the 1960s, the section and then Department of Forensic Medicine was led by the late Prof Chao Tzee Cheng, who is deemed by many to be the "Father of Forensic Medicine" in Singapore. Prof Chao had been involved in many high-profile homicides and had documented some of them in his book Murder is my Business.

The Centre provides professional consultancy services in the field of forensic medicine, primarily to law enforcement in support of the coronial death investigation system in Singapore as well as criminal investigations into homicidal deaths.

With effect from 1 August 2008, it is renamed the Forensic Medicine Division, a part of the Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority. The current Divisional Director is Dr. Paul Chui. The Division operates a mortuary facility in Block 9, a Singapore General Hospital building along Outram Road.