Medicine Science and the Law
Journal Data
| Type | JOURNAL |
|---|---|
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (US) |
| ISSN | 0025-8024 / 2042-1818 |
| Scopus | 40064 |
| Wikidata | Q15757954 |
| OpenAlex | S163308530 |
| MAG | 163308530 |
| Website | https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/journal/medicine-science-and-law |
| Total publications | 39 |
| Coverage period | 1970 - 2026 |
| Country | GB |
| Language | EN |
| Indexing | Scopus indexed |
| SJR | 0.402 (Q2) |
| SNIP | 1.095 |
| CiteScore | 3.3 |
| Overton policy citations | 2 |
| Female authorship share | 49.2% |
Medicine Science and the Law focuses on forensic medicine, medical law, and ethical issues at the intersection of medicine and law. While legal and medical anthropology exist, this journal's content is primarily legal and clinical, making anthropological contributions occasional rather than structural
Law · Health Policy · Issues, Ethics and Legal Aspects · Animal testing and alternatives · Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes · Child Abuse and Related Trauma · Child Abuse and Trauma · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies · Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare
Rehabilitation through yoga
Prison environments in Latin America are overpopulated, and current policies restrict more interns’ rights, which in turn leads to high rates of violence and mental health issues. All this goes against social justice in terms of equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal treatment. Following the trend of a more positive criminology, a yoga program was designed for prisoners in a penitentiary center in Valparaiso, Chile. Results of the program wer…
A crucial approach to devise and consider urgently needed suicide-prevention measures based on suicide trends over 27 years in Japan
Legal liabilities of forensic medicine practitioners
Forensic medical practitioners serve as the vital link between healthcare and the legal system, utilizing scientific medical knowledge to ensure justice. This close link places them at risk of legal liability, even in the absence of a traditional therapeutic doctor-patient relationship. In this paper, different legal liabilities faced by forensic examiners are exposed, ranging from breaches of confidentiality, lack of accurate reporting, and the …
The right to die
This comparative analysis explores the legal frameworks surrounding end-of-life issues in the Scandinavian countries. Despite their shared legal traditions, all four nations exhibit stringent restrictions on end-of-life practices. This paper highlights the specific legal provisions, limitations, and societal attitudes within each country, demonstrating a significant legislative rigidity that contrasts with the more progressive approaches observed…
Conjugal visits and conception
The recent introduction in Italy of unsupervised conjugal visits for prisoners is part of a broader trend that has been well-established across numerous European countries. This provision is grounded in the respect for constitutional rights and the principles set out by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which underscores the centrality of private and family life even for incarcerated individuals. This development raises significant bioet…
Evaluation of the ethical dimensions of forensic DNA databases
Applications of DNA databases, despite their vital importance to the judicial system, have sparked ethical debate for many years. The crimes for which DNA samples should be collected and the period for which they should be stored are all subject to ethical considerations, particularly regarding privacy, informed consent, data protection and overall ethical governance. The review covers issues such as privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, po…
The lung pays the price
An amoebic liver abscess (ALA) caused by Entamoeba histolytica remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical regions. Although hepatic rupture into adjacent thoracic structures is a recognised but rare complication, it can be fatal if undiagnosed or untreated. Hepatic abscesses can rupture and spread the infection to the thoracic cavity, resulting in the formation of a hepato-thoracic fistula, rarely. We report an autopsy cas…
Integrity, objectivity, and the role of healthcare expert witnesses in the judicial system
Characteristics of child physical abuse cases that are referred by the police for a clinical forensic medical examination
In child physical abuse cases, a clinical forensic medical examination (CFME) is performed to document medical evidence, such as lesions and scars. In Denmark, however, not all cases are referred by the police to a CFME, and we aimed to study the key characteristics of police reported cases of child physical abuse (N = 136, ages 4–17 years) – case context, the child's disclosure and sociodemographic factors – that could influence the police's sel…
Impact of body size on decomposition rate in juvenile-sized remains
Juveniles and infants are often believed to decompose faster than adults due to smaller body masses, yet research on juvenile decomposition rates remains limited. Studies examining body size and decomposition yield contradictory results and typically rely on human analogues of adult-like proportions. Thus, whether smaller or larger cadavers decompose more rapidly remains unclear. Limited research exists on juvenile decomposition rates, despite th…
Pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluation of AB-CHMINACA in rodents
Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a sensitive analytical method for detecting and quantifying AB-CHMINACA, and to comprehensively evaluate its pharmacokinetics, metabolic pathways, and acute toxicity in rodent models. Methodology Male Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice were used for pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and acute toxicity studies. AB-CHMINACA was dissolved in Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 2%–5%) and diluted in corn oil for or…
Reform of criminal laws in India
Although India gained independence in 1947, its laws, namely the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act (IEA) of 1872, were still in use. These criminal laws were primarily inherited from the statutes that were established during the colonial period. These laws were framed according to the crimes and legal needs of that time. Moreover, the 21st century is an era of artificial int…
Changing patterns in volatile substance abuse fatalities
Volatile substance abuse (VSA) continues to cause preventable deaths worldwide. In Australia, petrol sniffing has historically been the main form of misuse in remote Indigenous communities. However, coronial and surveillance data suggest an increasing role of gas fuels and aerosol propellants. Twenty-five VSA-related deaths reported to the Northern Territory (NT) coroner over a 21-year period (2002–2022) were reviewed. In the 22 cases where acute…
Cost- and time-effectiveness of medico-legal management of healthcare-related infections
Healthcare-acquired infections are due to an exposure to pathogens in the hospital setting and tend to occur within 48 h since the admission or within 3 days from the discharge. Nosocomial infections can often be a source of litigation and compensation claims for patient harm. The aim of our study was to compare two different management policies for medical malpractice claims related to healthcare-acquired infections (MMC) adopted in two differen…
A forensic disciplinary investigation of deaths caused by traditional wooden house fires; A 10-year autopsy study in Turkey
In the Eastern Black Sea Region, located in the northeast of Turkey, traditional wooden houses with rich visual and architectural features represent an important aspect of folk building arts. However, fires in these wooden houses, which have a high fire load, pose a significant public health issue, leading to substantial loss of life and property. This study aimed to evaluate deaths caused by wooden house fires over a 10-year-period from a forens…
Diagnosing autism in adult forensic settings
Avoiding judicial dissatisfaction with, and criticism of, healthcare experts
The sources of judicial dissatisfaction with, and criticism of, expert healthcare evidence are traced to unqualified, careless, overworked and unscrupulous experts and a failure on the part of some experts to work collaboratively with their instructing lawyers during the litigation process. The suggested remedies are: adherence to the clear professional standards that already exist, appropriate training for which the foundations should be laid du…
Considering the assessment of survivability and preventability following mass fatality incidents
Following a mass fatality incident, the assessment of survivability and preventability is essential, yet current methodologies remain inconsistent both within the UK and internationally. The 2024 UK Home Office report ‘ The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power: Independent Review of Forensic Pathology’ evaluated learning from the Hillsborough disaster and the Manchester Arena bombing inquests, highlighting the urgent need for clearer, s…
Who is a medical expert? How do we know that such experts are impartial?
Crowd-control chemicals and medical witness in Georgia
Is retained responsibility a matter for expert psychiatric evidence?
The Sentencing Remarks in the diminished responsibility manslaughter case R v Worby have led to discussion as to whether retained responsibility is a matter for expert psychiatric evidence. The view of the author is that it is. Analysis of the case, sentencing guidelines, and case law are used to support this viewpoint and to demonstrate similarities with the position adopted by Hallett in his influential paper ‘To what extent should expert psych…
A medico-legal analysis of litigation in cardiology and cardiac surgery
Recent decades have been characterized by an exponential increase in medico-legal litigation and an accentuated interest in healthcare responsibility. This study aims to examine cases of alleged medical negligence in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in one of the largest hospitals in north-west Italy, over a 11-year period (2013–2023). The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis between compensation claims initially adv…
Postmortem toxicology of alcohols
Ethanol is the most commonly abused drug worldwide, and excessive alcohol consumption is a major contributing factor in accidents and violent crimes. Methanol is a toxic alcohol and is less commonly detected but holds significant forensic relevance due to its potential for causing fatal poisoning. The study aims to detect the concentrations of ethanol and methanol in postmortem blood, vitreous humor, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, and to create …
Background asbestos fiber levels in autopsy lungs
Asbestos exposure is a well-established cause of malignant mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases, and quantifying inorganic fiber lung burden is crucial in forensic and medico-legal contexts for attributing disease causality. However, data on background asbestos exposure and chronological trends in the general population remain limited. This study analyzed autopsy lung tissue samples from 81 individuals (38 males, 43 females) from Northern …
How useful is the concept of trauma-informed practice in prisons?
No prominent publications on this page.
The Legal and Medical Aspects of the Trial and Death of Christ
Fire as a Symbol and as a Weapon of Death
Changing Patterns in Violence
Arrows of Outrageous Fortune
Microscopical Focal Destruction (Tunnels) in Exhumed Human Bones
This is a survey of microscopical focal destruction in exhumed human bones from several countries and burial times. The single change (destruction) seen in these bones contrasts with the sequence of changes in pathological processes (destruction, cellular infiltration, new bone formation and healing). The absence of cells stresses the importance of size and shape, in three dimensions, and contents of the destructive foci. Focal mineral redepositi…
Islamic Medical Jurisprudence
The Enemy within
‘I've Got a Little List’ (Koko
Rehabilitation through yoga
Prison environments in Latin America are overpopulated, and current policies restrict more interns’ rights, which in turn leads to high rates of violence and mental health issues. All this goes against social justice in terms of equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal treatment. Following the trend of a more positive criminology, a yoga program was designed for prisoners in a penitentiary center in Valparaiso, Chile. Results of the program wer…
A crucial approach to devise and consider urgently needed suicide-prevention measures based on suicide trends over 27 years in Japan
Legal liabilities of forensic medicine practitioners
Forensic medical practitioners serve as the vital link between healthcare and the legal system, utilizing scientific medical knowledge to ensure justice. This close link places them at risk of legal liability, even in the absence of a traditional therapeutic doctor-patient relationship. In this paper, different legal liabilities faced by forensic examiners are exposed, ranging from breaches of confidentiality, lack of accurate reporting, and the …
The right to die
This comparative analysis explores the legal frameworks surrounding end-of-life issues in the Scandinavian countries. Despite their shared legal traditions, all four nations exhibit stringent restrictions on end-of-life practices. This paper highlights the specific legal provisions, limitations, and societal attitudes within each country, demonstrating a significant legislative rigidity that contrasts with the more progressive approaches observed…
Conjugal visits and conception
The recent introduction in Italy of unsupervised conjugal visits for prisoners is part of a broader trend that has been well-established across numerous European countries. This provision is grounded in the respect for constitutional rights and the principles set out by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which underscores the centrality of private and family life even for incarcerated individuals. This development raises significant bioet…
Evaluation of the ethical dimensions of forensic DNA databases
Applications of DNA databases, despite their vital importance to the judicial system, have sparked ethical debate for many years. The crimes for which DNA samples should be collected and the period for which they should be stored are all subject to ethical considerations, particularly regarding privacy, informed consent, data protection and overall ethical governance. The review covers issues such as privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, po…
The lung pays the price
An amoebic liver abscess (ALA) caused by Entamoeba histolytica remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical regions. Although hepatic rupture into adjacent thoracic structures is a recognised but rare complication, it can be fatal if undiagnosed or untreated. Hepatic abscesses can rupture and spread the infection to the thoracic cavity, resulting in the formation of a hepato-thoracic fistula, rarely. We report an autopsy cas…
Integrity, objectivity, and the role of healthcare expert witnesses in the judicial system
Characteristics of child physical abuse cases that are referred by the police for a clinical forensic medical examination
In child physical abuse cases, a clinical forensic medical examination (CFME) is performed to document medical evidence, such as lesions and scars. In Denmark, however, not all cases are referred by the police to a CFME, and we aimed to study the key characteristics of police reported cases of child physical abuse (N = 136, ages 4–17 years) – case context, the child's disclosure and sociodemographic factors – that could influence the police's sel…
Impact of body size on decomposition rate in juvenile-sized remains
Juveniles and infants are often believed to decompose faster than adults due to smaller body masses, yet research on juvenile decomposition rates remains limited. Studies examining body size and decomposition yield contradictory results and typically rely on human analogues of adult-like proportions. Thus, whether smaller or larger cadavers decompose more rapidly remains unclear. Limited research exists on juvenile decomposition rates, despite th…
Pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluation of AB-CHMINACA in rodents
Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a sensitive analytical method for detecting and quantifying AB-CHMINACA, and to comprehensively evaluate its pharmacokinetics, metabolic pathways, and acute toxicity in rodent models. Methodology Male Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice were used for pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and acute toxicity studies. AB-CHMINACA was dissolved in Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 2%–5%) and diluted in corn oil for or…
Reform of criminal laws in India
Although India gained independence in 1947, its laws, namely the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act (IEA) of 1872, were still in use. These criminal laws were primarily inherited from the statutes that were established during the colonial period. These laws were framed according to the crimes and legal needs of that time. Moreover, the 21st century is an era of artificial int…
Changing patterns in volatile substance abuse fatalities
Volatile substance abuse (VSA) continues to cause preventable deaths worldwide. In Australia, petrol sniffing has historically been the main form of misuse in remote Indigenous communities. However, coronial and surveillance data suggest an increasing role of gas fuels and aerosol propellants. Twenty-five VSA-related deaths reported to the Northern Territory (NT) coroner over a 21-year period (2002–2022) were reviewed. In the 22 cases where acute…
Cost- and time-effectiveness of medico-legal management of healthcare-related infections
Healthcare-acquired infections are due to an exposure to pathogens in the hospital setting and tend to occur within 48 h since the admission or within 3 days from the discharge. Nosocomial infections can often be a source of litigation and compensation claims for patient harm. The aim of our study was to compare two different management policies for medical malpractice claims related to healthcare-acquired infections (MMC) adopted in two differen…
A forensic disciplinary investigation of deaths caused by traditional wooden house fires; A 10-year autopsy study in Turkey
In the Eastern Black Sea Region, located in the northeast of Turkey, traditional wooden houses with rich visual and architectural features represent an important aspect of folk building arts. However, fires in these wooden houses, which have a high fire load, pose a significant public health issue, leading to substantial loss of life and property. This study aimed to evaluate deaths caused by wooden house fires over a 10-year-period from a forens…
Diagnosing autism in adult forensic settings
Avoiding judicial dissatisfaction with, and criticism of, healthcare experts
The sources of judicial dissatisfaction with, and criticism of, expert healthcare evidence are traced to unqualified, careless, overworked and unscrupulous experts and a failure on the part of some experts to work collaboratively with their instructing lawyers during the litigation process. The suggested remedies are: adherence to the clear professional standards that already exist, appropriate training for which the foundations should be laid du…