medicogiuridico

Medico juridico, sometimes rendered medico-legal or medicina forense, is a field at the interface of medicine and law. It encompasses the application of medical knowledge to legal questions and the interpretation of medical findings for civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings. The term is used in various languages to describe what in English is often called forensic medicine or legal medicine. Professionals in this field assist courts, investigators, and public authorities by translating clinical and pathological information into legally relevant conclusions, such as determining the cause and manner of death, diagnosing injuries, assessing capacity, and evaluating medical malpractice or informed consent issues.

Typical activities include performing autopsies and external examinations; clinical/forensic evaluations in cases of assault, sexual violence, or abuse; toxicology, pathology, radiology; preparing medico-legal reports; interpreting medical records; providing expert testimony; advising on patient rights, consent, and capacity; participating in disaster response and public health investigations.

Education and practice: requires medical degree and specialization in forensic medicine or medical jurisprudence; licensing and regulation vary by jurisdiction; job titles include forensic physician, medical examiner, coroner, or medico-legal expert; professional associations set standards. The field intersects with ethics, human rights, and evidence-based practice, and often collaborates with law enforcement, judiciary, and health authorities.