Soudní lékařství – Pilin Alexander (2022)

Forensic medicine and forensic toxicology are fields within healthcare in the Czech Republic, but they are also connected with bodies involved in criminal and civil proceedings. Through autopsies, forensic medicine determines natural causes of death; in cases of violent death, its work turns towards criminal investigation, helping to clarify the origin and severity of harm to health in crimes against life and health. When harm to health constitutes a criminal offence, the forensic physician explains the findings to the court so that a judgment can be delivered. This comprehensive textbook covers all areas of forensic medicine. It explains the field’s position in society and presents the legal regulations governing forensic medicine and toxicology. It examines in detail phenomena connected with death and the work of the physician at the scene where a deceased person is found, and describes the structure of an autopsy report, including the autopsy diagnosis. The most common causes of sudden death are presented, along with external causes of harm to health that lead to violent death or injuries with survival, and methods of assessing the severity of injuries. Extensive attention is devoted to toxicology, covering general principles and the effects of inorganic substances, medicines and organic substances. A significant section deals with new psychoactive substances. In addition to plant toxins, the book discusses toxins of animal and fungal origin. The medico-legal section focuses on the physician’s relationship with criminal and civil proceedings, as well as the responsibilities and duties of healthcare professionals. A new chapter addresses non-pecuniary damage to health. The book also surveys important laboratory methods and procedures for identifying unknown persons, while its chapter on forensic genetics discusses molecular approaches in forensic medicine. The Czech text is accompanied by numerous photographs and descriptions of selected real cases. It is intended for medical students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, forensic physicians, and also law students, police academy students, police officers, lawyers, judges and anyone interested in the field.