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That there has been a severe decline in academic forensic pathology
in England and Wales is sadly true. That there is no longer a professor of
forensic medicine in London – or indeed anywhere south of Sheffield – is
to be deprecated. However it is not true to say that there are “now no
university based forensic pathology services in London”.1
The staff of The Forensic Medicine Unit at St George’s Hospital
Medical School continue to provide services to police forces locally,
nationally and internationally and also to solicitors and to coroners. We
are continuing with a programme of lectures to medical undergraduates and
post graduates, to law students, nurses, police officers and paramedics
and we are engaged in several research projects. Moreover this unit has
provided, and continues to provide, the only academic base for clinical
forensic medicine in England and Wales.
1. Payne-James J, Wall I, Dean P Practical Alternative to Forensic
Pathology Service exists. BMJ 2002; 324: 791 (31 March)
Sincerely,
Dr R T Shepherd
Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Forensic Medicine
Head of Forensic Medicine Unit
St George’s Hospital Medical School,
London SW17 0RE
Incorrect diagnosis of death of academic Forensic Medicine in London
Editor
That there has been a severe decline in academic forensic pathology
in England and Wales is sadly true. That there is no longer a professor of
forensic medicine in London – or indeed anywhere south of Sheffield – is
to be deprecated. However it is not true to say that there are “now no
university based forensic pathology services in London”.1
The staff of The Forensic Medicine Unit at St George’s Hospital
Medical School continue to provide services to police forces locally,
nationally and internationally and also to solicitors and to coroners. We
are continuing with a programme of lectures to medical undergraduates and
post graduates, to law students, nurses, police officers and paramedics
and we are engaged in several research projects. Moreover this unit has
provided, and continues to provide, the only academic base for clinical
forensic medicine in England and Wales.
1. Payne-James J, Wall I, Dean P Practical Alternative to Forensic
Pathology Service exists. BMJ 2002; 324: 791 (31 March)
Sincerely,
Dr R T Shepherd
Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Forensic Medicine
Head of Forensic Medicine Unit
St George’s Hospital Medical School,
London SW17 0RE
r.shepherd@sghms.ac.uk
Dr M M Stark
Honorary Senior Lecturer
Forensic Medicine Unit
St George’s Hospital Medical School,
London SW17 0RE
Dr D J Rogers
Honorary Senior Lecturer
Forensic Medicine Unit,
St George’s Hospital Medical School,
London SW17 0RE
Competing interests: No competing interests