Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Description

Forensic medicine, the science that deals with the application of medical knowledge to legal questions. The use of medical testimony in law cases predates by more than 1,000 years the first systematic presentation of the subject by the Italian Fortunatus Fidelis in 1598. Forensic medicine was recognized as a specialty early in the 19th century. Forensic Medicine or Forensic Medical Science is a multi-disciplinary subject and is defined as the application of medical knowledge to the investigation of crime, particularly in ascertaining the causes of death or injury. It is also utilised in the scientific assessment of blood samples, DNA and so on. Forensic Medicine is one of the most popular careers, particularly in India. There are endless opportunities in this field due to limitless crimes happening across the globe. Toxicology is the study of adverse effects of drugs and chemicals on biological systems. Forensic toxicology involves the application of toxicology for the purposes of the law, or in a medicolegal context. The forensic toxicologist uses state-of-the-art analytical techniques, such as those used in hospital or research laboratories, to isolate and identify drugs and poisons from complex biological specimens. This requires knowledge of analytical chemistry procedures and instrumental analysis. Forensic toxicology laboratories use a variety of different techniques, including gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectrophotometry, and antibody-based immunoassays. This book will serve the purpose and help students to learn the subject in easy way.