Book Review by Dr Sanil Kumar M C
Full name of the book: Practical and Viva in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Author: R K Sharma
First edition: 2008
Vitasta Publishing Pvt. Ltd
2/15, First Floor, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi – 110002.
Price: Rs.225/
This book is useful for Homoeopathic under-graduate students for cracking practical and viva examinations. It covers all aspects of practical examinations as prescribed by Central Council of Homoeopathy. This book is arranged in a question/answer format, which are often asked in viva-voce examinations in forensic medicine
The 6 exercises given in the last part of this book is of great help in practical examinations, where student are asked to write model medico-legal reports on examination of various medico-legal cases.
The CD provided with this book contains some photographs of specimen which are usually kept as spotters in practical examinations. Even though students may be familiar with the specimens in their forensic medicine museums, this viewing the photographs in the CD will help them to recollect the visuals of the common spotters.
I appreciate this unique work in the field of forensic medicine and toxicology, and I recommend the under-graduate student to refer this book to crack the practical and viva-voce examinations in forensic medicine and toxicology with ease.
Introduction to the author
Dr. R.K.Sharma joined All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in 1977 as an MBBS student. He is now working there as Additional Professor in Department of Forensic Medicine. He has teaching experience of over 23 years, published many books on Forensic Medicine and wrote more than 60 national and international papers. He supervised many scientific projects of national and internal importance. He has been an examiner to many medical colleges and universities. He is Editor-in-chief of international journal ‘Medico-legal Update’.
Salient features of the book
1. All the six exercises that are commonly asked are explained in detail along with model format so that students can reproduce them in examinations easily.
2.Questions asked in viva-voce are written in same fashion as asked by examiners.
3.Spots shown in practical examination have been visually captured and provided in a CD form so that student can view them before going for examinations.
Content of the book
The practical examinations in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology in South Asian countries, involving exercise writing, spots, viva. With this objective in mind, the author has written this book. It covers all the three aspects of practical examination in detail.
In viva section, questions have been designed in similar fashion as asked in examination. Six exercises have been explained in detail that are commonly explained in examinations.
The common spots asked in examinations are photographed and provided in a CD form with this book so that students can view it before examination.
Structure of book:
The chapters are arranged in question and answer method which are great use for students in viva-voce examinations.
Structure of chapters
- History of Forensic Medicine and legal procedures
- Identification
- Post-mortem examination
- Exhumation, examination of decomposed bodies and skeletal remains
- Examination of biological stains and hair
- Medico-legal aspects of death
- Asphyxial death
- Death due to starvation, cold and heat
- Burns, Scalds, Lightning and Electrical Injuries
- Mechanical violence injuries
- Fire-arm injuries
- Medico-legal aspects of wounds
- Regional injuries
- Impotence, sterility and artificial insemination
- Virginity, pregnancy and delivery
- Sexual offences
- Legitimacy and medico-legal aspects of marriage annulment
- Infanticide
- Abortion and medical termination of pregnancy
- Insanity and forensic psychiatry
- Miscellaneous topics
- Law in relation to medical practice – Part I
- Law in relation to medical practice – Part II
- Medico-legal aspects of poisons
- Corrosive poisoning
- Irritant poisons: Vegetable poison
- Irritant poisons: Inorganic compounds
- Irritant poisons: Metallic
- Irritant poisons: Animal poisons
- Mechanical and somniferous poisons
- Cerebral poisons: Inebrient poisons
- Cerebral poisons: Delirient poisons
- Spinal poisons
- Cardiac poisons
- Asphyxiants (Irrespirable gases)
- Food poisoning
Exercises
- Exercise I Medico-legal report
- Exercise II Post-mortem report
- Exercise III Age estimation
- Exercise IV Examination of accused in a sexual assault case
- Exercise V Medical examination of a sexual assaulted woman
- Exercise VI Medical examination for drunkenness
Book Review Dr Sanil Kumar M C MD(Hom)
Forensic Medicine and Toxicology,
Govt: Homoeopathic Medical College, Calicut. Kerala
Email: drsakumkumar@yahoo.co.in
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