Police surgeons are important part of criminal justice system

doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7256.303

BMJ 2000;321:303 ( 29 July )

Letters

Police surgeons are important part of criminal justice system

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR $---$ Clinical forensic medicine is one of the most dynamic and rapidly advancing specialties, but the article in CareerFocus missed an opportunity to show just how the work of a policesurgeon has changed in recent years.¹

In contrast to the views expressed, the assessment of drink-drivers is now a minor component of the work. Much more of thedoctor's time is spent assessing substance misusers, mentallyill people, injured prisoners, and people with pre-existing morbidityto determine their fitness for detention; their fitness to bereleased, charged, or transferred; their fitness to be interviewedby the police; and whether an appropriate adult is required.²The examination of both adults and children who complain of serioussexual assaults is also an essential part of therole.

Although most police surgeons are general practitioners who work as police surgeons part time, increasing numbers work asspecialists in clinical forensic . . . [Full text of this article]