By Prof. Afzal Mmon, Incharge, Department, of Forensic Medicine LUMHS, Jamshoro – Sindh
The subject of Forensic Medicine was ignored in the past and the teaching was imparted by the part time teachers. Considering the importance of Forensic medicine the subject was taught by the qualified teachers in 1983 at Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro.
In 2004 the Higher Education commission sponsored a project for Rs. 14.7 millions to establish Forensic Science Laboratory in the Department of Forensic Medicine. The Department was reorganized in the old Mehran Hostel with following ancillary services for training of the undergraduates/ post gradates and to help the public for the injustice done to them in Medicolegal practice considering this as a public sector University.
The Department is organized by a full faculty of qualified Doctors with all the modern facilities to train Doctors to help the law enforcing agencies for furthering of justice.
MODERN AUTOPSY SUIT
The students (Under-graduates & Postgraduates) are getting training on Autopsy Procedure through CDs in the Department. The autopsies are conducted jointly by the faculty and the MLO to get them well versed with autopsy techniques and for furthering of justice to help law enforcement and public service.
MOLECULAR LABO-RATORY (DNA SE-QUENCER)
Discussion on DNA finge-rprint techniques are done. Two Medical Technologists have completed their training at Molecular Biology Section for DNA extraction. The DNA sequencer was to start functioning in the 1st week of April by 02 Molecular biologist who came from Austria, but due to some technical error they will come again in the 1st week of May 2009 to make it functional to start DNA sequencing for human identification. In the first go we will collect the DNA of all the University Employees to keep their record and put it in our data base.
POLYGRAPH (LIE DETECTOR)
Demonstration to the faculty, Postgraduates & Technologist is in progress to know how it is used in crime detection & after the standard is achieved, the law enforcement will be informed accordingly to send cases for lie detection.
ANALYTICAL LAB (HPLC & GC)
Three projects are under progress and we are waiting for chemicals to start the Projects. Discussion with Health Department are in progress to allow this chemical laboratory to act as Analytical Laboratory for Hyderabad and Jamshoro District, as it is allowed in Sukkur to detect the poisons from biological material, semen analysis and to run the narcotic section to asses the drugs of addiction. At present the cases are referred to chemical examiner Karachi, the result are delayed because of huge Number of cases referred from all Sindh.
SEROLOGY LAB TO THE UNDERGRADUATES / POSTGRADUATES
Demonstration of various biological stains ie blood & semens, and their interpretation to Undergraduates & Postgraduates.
MEDICO-LEAGAL EXAMINATION ROOM:
Orders placed for simulators to show the examination protocol of victim of sexual Assault by lady lecturers of our Department to under-graduates (the girls) we also conduct age certification and examination of the assault cases for furthering of justice as requested by the law enforcement.
FORENSIC RADIOLOGY & ULTRA SOUND MACHINE (INSTALLED)
The Undergraduates & Postgraduates students are taught on various X-rays/CT Scan to determine Trauma / Fractures / foreign bodies ie bullets/ pellets and Hemorrshages in Medicolegal Cases.
The ultrasound is placed in ultrasound Room for Special Medical Board which will be conducted soon.
POSTGRADUATES STUDIES:
The Department has Post-graduate courses recognized for DMJ (Diploma in Jurisprudence), Degree courses MD (Forensic Medicine) & FCPS (Forensic Medicine). There are 06 MD candidates out of which 03 have passed their part –I & are busy in completing thesis work. We have 09 DMJ candidates out of which 04 have passed their DMJ II & are appointed as Assistant Professor is Peripheral Medical Colleges. Recently three candidates for FCPS are enrolled for training.
With the personal efforts of honorable Vice Chancellor Professor Noshad A. Shaikh the administrative control of mortuaries of LUH Hyderabad / Jamshoro was handed over to the Department of Forensic Medicine Toxicology through Health Department and we are conducting autopsies with the MLOs of police surgeon’s office & are imparting the training to the undergraduates and post graduates.
Considering this department as state of art and centre of excellence the Medicolegal work may kindly be allowed through the health department to help the law enforcement for furthering of justice.