Mason''s Forensic Medicine for Lawyers

The essential and accessible introductory guide to forensic medicine for legal practitioners, particularly those in criminal law.

Designed also to guide medical experts through the various UK legal and court systems, it deals with definitions of offences, the investigation of sudden deaths and the key duties of the expert who gives evidence in court.

This sixth edition covers:
-An introduction to relevant clinical terms, the systems of the body and autopsy procedure
-Chapters on the main areas of forensic medicine including injuries from assaults, firearms, asphyxia, water and fire
-Specialist chapters on non-accidental injury to children, sexual offences, odontology, toxicology and the care of detainees
-All the relevant statutory and common law offences
-The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 in conjunction with the relevant Rules and Guidance The Criminal and Civil Procedure Rules and relevant case law on the role and duties of expertsPrimary and secondary legislation relating to care of detainees and investigation of deaths in custody (e.g. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984)

Completely revised, this new edition is written from the viewpoint of the legal practitioner and medical expert witness. To this end it provides practical guidance, including diagrams on new developments and problem areas in forensic medicine. It also offers suggestions for further reading which will enable the practitioner to understand expert reports as well as identify potential areas where further expertise is necessary.

List of contents

Contents
1 Introduction to human anatomy and physiology
2 An introduction to clinical medicine and clinical investigation
3 The autopsy procedure
4 Medical aspects of death
5 Coroners' courts and fatal accident inquiries
6 Sudden natural death
7 Wounding: injuries and their interpretation
8 Ballistics: injury and death due to firearms
9 Head injury and other brain pathology
10 Major blunt impact trauma: road traffic collisions and falls
11 Asphyxia, pressure to the neck and similar entities
12 Drowning and hypothermia
13 Heat, fire and electricity
14 Child injuries and deaths
15 Sexual assaults
16 Forensic odontology
17 Forensic toxicology
18 Care of detainees
19 Deaths in state settings
20 Criminal justice in the United Kingdom
21 Role and duties of the expert

About the author

Helen Whitwell is formerly Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Sheffield and a forensic pathologist registered with the Home Office (England and Wales). She has extensive experience in forensic pathology and forensic neuropathology, both in the UK and internationally.Katy Thorne KC is a criminal defence and inquest barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. She sits as an Assistant Coroner and a Mental Health Tribunal Judge and is a member of the Westminster Commission on Forensic Science.Alexander Kolar is a forensic pathologist registered with the Home Office (England and Wales). He has extensive expertise in forensic pathology at a national and international level.Alexander Kolar is a forensic pathologist registered with the Home Office (England and Wales). He has extensive expertise in forensic pathology at a national and international level.Paul Harvey is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and an advocate at Arnot Manderson Advocates, Edinburgh. He is currently serving as an advocate depute, prosecuting serious crime in the High Court of Justiciary, Scotland,

Summary

The essential and accessible introductory guide to forensic medicine for legal practitioners, particularly those in criminal law.

Designed also to guide medical experts through the various UK legal and court systems, it deals with definitions of offences, the investigation of sudden deaths and the key duties of the expert who gives evidence in court.

This sixth edition covers:
-An introduction to relevant clinical terms, the systems of the body and autopsy procedure
-Chapters on the main areas of forensic medicine including injuries from assaults, firearms, asphyxia, water and fire
-Specialist chapters on non-accidental injury to children, sexual offences, odontology, toxicology and the care of detainees
-All the relevant statutory and common law offences
-The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 in conjunction with the relevant Rules and Guidance The Criminal and Civil Procedure Rules and relevant case law on the role and duties of expertsPrimary and secondary legislation relating to care of detainees and investigation of deaths in custody (e.g. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984)

Completely revised, this new edition is written from the viewpoint of the legal practitioner and medical expert witness. To this end it provides practical guidance, including diagrams on new developments and problem areas in forensic medicine. It also offers suggestions for further reading which will enable the practitioner to understand expert reports as well as identify potential areas where further expertise is necessary.

Foreword

Mason’s Forensic Medicine for Lawyers, 6th edition covers all aspects of the relationship between forensic medicine and the law including an overview of general issues relating to medical ethics, criminal liability, negligence and the regulation of the medical profession.

Additional text

...a welcome, and welcoming, guide to medicine and medical issues presented by the interaction between law and what is a daunting and complex topic...The book navigates practitioners through complex issues with reference to clearly drawn diagrams and simple explanations, seemingly neither patronising nor inappropriately assuming knowledge...packs a lot in for a relatively modest price. It is a useful addition to every chambers or firm.

Product details

• Authors: Helen Whitwell Katy Thorne Alexander Kolar, Abigail Bright, Mr Paul Harvey, Paul Harvey, Paul (Barrister) Harvey, Alexander Kolar, Dr Alexander Kolar, Katy Thorne QC, Katy Thorne, Helen Whitwell, Helen L. Whitwell, Helen L. Thorne Whitwell, Professor Helen Whitwell, Professor Helen Qc Whitwell, Professor Helen Thorne Whitwell
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 22.10.2015
• EAN: 9781780434766
• ISBN: 978-1-78043-476-6
• No. of pages: 464
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > General; Social sciences, law, business > Law > International law, foreign law