Need of clinical forensic medicine in trauma care

The loss of human life and function due to violence affects millions of people annually. Society demands an investigation of trauma associated with criminal activity. No longer is it acceptable for health care professionals to operate in isolation of forensic philosophies and principles. Health care professionals involved in the initial response to these victims, in the emergency department are faced with unique problems, as social changes require continual re-evaluation of standards and professional responsibility. The role of forensic medicine has been expressly designed to provide solutions to some of the most urgent concerns in our society, and focuses on the areas in which medicine and human behaviour interface with the law. The forensic medicine expert's role as a clinical investigator provides a vital liaison between the investigative process and court of law.