Forensic Medicine & Toxicology is one of the important subjects, included in the 3^rd Prof of the MBBS curriculum. The word ‘forensic’ has been derived from the word ‘forensis’ which means forum. FMT course in MBBS makes a medico learn the application of the knowledge of forensic medical sciences to legal issues. Toxicology includes the study of toxic elements, poisons’ properties, activities, toxicity, fetal dose, detection, quantification, therapy, and autopsy results. In this course, a medico is well informed about their medico-legal responsibility during the practice. Thus, forensic toxicology focuses on the legal and medical consequences of the toxic effects of chemicals on humans. In US & Europe, Forensic Medicine is also known as Legal Medicine or State Medicine.

Objectives of FMT course in MBBS

• The course provides complete knowledge of the law in regard to medical practice, medical ethics, and code of conduct.
• It talks about the medico-legal facets of medicine.
• The purpose of the course is to make undergraduate students much capable of observing and legally inferring correct conclusions. The students are also made to learn the way of handling and keeping track of criminal cases or medico-legal cases in an integrated manner.
• It provides knowledge of the administration, relevant medical laws, procedures, and their requirements.
• The Forensic Medicine course must not be thought as just a passing subject, its significance is well-ascertained during medical practice.
• Practically, a medico must develop a basic awareness of the legal system, observe, and analyze cases carefully, and act calmly.

Course Content

The MBBS course curriculum of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology:

Part I: FORENSIC MEDICINE

• General Introduction
• Forensic Pathology
• Clinical Forensic Medicine
• Medical Jurisprundence
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Forensic Sciences

Part II: TOXICOLOGY

• General Toxicology
• Clinical Toxicology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Analytical Toxicology

Along with the theory lectures, the MBBS course curriculum also includes practical and demonstration sessions in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology.

Pre-requisite for success in FMT

The four things are pre-requisite for success in FMT:

• Power of Observation
• Power of Deduction
• Wide range of exact knowledge
• Power of constructive imagination

Tips on how to approach FMT the right way

1. Read from Recommended books

• “Review of Forensics Medicine & Toxicology (5^th edition)” by Dr. Gautam Biswas. The book has many features like, each chapter starts with the Learning Objectives, further categorized into (a) must know and (b) desirable to know topics. It also includes important topics, MCQs, image-based questions, and case studies at the end of each chapter.
• “Principles of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology” by Rajesh Bardale
• “Essentials of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology” by KS Narayan Reddy, and OP Murty

2. Focus on Conceptual clarity

A student must focus on clearing the concepts for a better understanding of the subject. Mugging up in medical sciences doesn’t help in the long run. FMT is a blend of theoretical medico-legal knowledge along with practical sessions on criminal cases, post-mortem cases, chemical injuries, and a lot more. So, it is important to clear all your doubts and focus on conceptual clarity to excel in the subject.

3. Simplify your learning with notes

Making notes help filter down the lengthy content of the syllabus. It helps in learning and memorizing concepts easily. It proves for a great benefit during the last-minute revision. Notes also help in memorizing the topics at the time of explanation during lectures and marking important points. They are the best for a quick revision before exams.

4. Focus on high-yield topics:

Some of the important topics in FMT are:

• Legal Procedure
• Identification
• Thanatology
• Asphyxia
• Injuries
• Rape
• General toxicology
• OPC poisoning
• Snakebite
• Medicinal poisoning

Watch this video to know the right way to approach FMT in MBBS

• Attend Case Demonstrations

Medical is not just reading books and learning. It is more of practical knowledge and application of the theory into the practical and real world. In medical science, case studies and demonstrations are a must. A medico should never skip any case demonstration session. They form a base for treating the patients in their medical practice efficiently. It is crucial to enhance your FMT learning with practical sessions and case studies. A medico can also understand the case demonstrations via visuals and 3D imaging available in the online MBBS courses.

6. Memorize well

The easiest and the best way to memorize is to learn through flowcharts, images, charts, and tables. Learning in a structured format helps in memorizing well in long run. It helps in correlating the topics and clearing the concepts. Try to make your mnemonics for learning to make the most of your visual memory.

7. Practice Assessment questions

The best way to analyze your learning is to go through maximum self-assessment questions. It helps in a recap of the topic studied. It also gives a green light to the conceptual clarity of the topic. It not only improves knowledge but is highly beneficial from an exam perspective. A medico can opt for online FMT courses that provide frequently asked self-assessment questions.

Online Lectures to boost your learning

The Forensic Medicine & Toxicology for UnderGrads course has been developed and conducted by a renowned faculty and author, Dr. Gautam Biswas, who is known for his publications “Review of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology”, “Recent Advances in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology volume-1 and 2”, and “Manual of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology”.

The course is well equipped with highly illustrative video lectures with 1400+ self-assessment questions and worthy notes. Case scenarios and case demonstrations are also included in the online FMT course.

The lectures for the course interestingly cover every relevant topic. The course’s content is clear and succinct with flowcharts, animations, brief videos, photographs, tables, differentiation, and line diagrams to help students understand concepts better. It includes case studies at the very beginning and discussion at the end of sessions along with live videos to explain the concept/procedures. Relevant MCQs have been integrated in every lecture including few image-based MCQs after each topic are also provided with explanation. It covers points to remember at the end for viva and forthcoming NEET PG 2023 exams. The FMT online course is designed for medical students to help them be ready for both their university exams and the NEET PG/NExT Exam.

To get conceptual clarity on Clinical Forensic Medicine, Click here.

Table of Content – Forensic Medicine & Toxicology for UnderGrads course

• Orientation
• General Information
• Forensic Pathology
• Clinical Forensic Medicine
• Medical Jurisprudence (Medical Law and ethics)
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Forensic Laboratory investigation in medical-legal practice
• Thanatology
• General Toxicology
• Pharmaceutical Toxicology
• Sociomedical Toxicology
• Jurisprudence and Forensic Medicine – Qbank
• Toxicology – Qbank

All these modules include detailed sub-topics as per the CBME curriculum.

Scope of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

• Forensic Scientist
• Forensic Expert
• Clinical Investigator
• Criminologist
• Research Associate
• Forensic Medicine Professor
• Jobs at Intelligence Bureau
• Forensic Analyst at Investigation firms
• Manager Forensic Advisory
• Forensic Pathologist
• Medical Officer
• Toxicologist

A medico must keep all senses open while dealing with FMT cases and willingness to work is a must.

FAQs

1. Where can I study FMT online?

Dr. Gautam Biswas’s Forensic Medicine & Toxicology for UnderGrads course is an online FMT course which is well equipped with highly illustrative video lectures, concise notes and 1400+ self-assessment questions. Case scenarios and case demonstrations are also included in this course.

2. What is FMT in MBBS?

FMT discloses the medico-legal facets of medicine. The purpose of the course is to make undergraduate students much capable of observing and legally inferring exact conclusions. The students are also made to learn the way of handling and keeping track of criminal cases or medico-legal cases in an integrated manner. A medico is well informed about their medico-legal responsibility during their medical practice.

3. How do I pass forensic medicine in MBBS?

Make sure not to skip any lecture and case demonstration sessions. Make notes and study on regular basis. You can also opt for an online FMT course to boost your learning with the help of video lectures, case demonstrations, notes, and self-assessment questions for practice.