Description

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This is the leading work on forensic medicine and the law in the UK. Written by a team of leading legal practitioners, pathologists and other experts, this Seventh Edition has been fully revised to bring it up to date with the latest legal, medical and scientific developments.
It is the only book directed at both the legal practitioner and the expert medical witness. It provides unique commentary on the law in all three UK jurisdictions: England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. It guides experts on their role and duties to the courts and highlights areas of current scientific and legal controversy with additional reference sources.
In addition to two new chapters on forensic psychiatry and forensic science, the Seventh Edition includes updates and new material on:
- Introduction to medicine, the systems of the body and autopsy procedure
- Forensic medicine covering assaults, firearms, head injuries, road traffic collisions, falls, asphyxia, drowning, hypothermia, and heat and electricity
- Sexual offences, deaths in detention, forensic odontology and toxicology
- Guidance for the expert medical witness on giving evidence in the UK courts, covering the UK's criminal justice systems, coroners' courts and fatal accident inquiries

About the Author

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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. 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