Internal Quality Control of Forensic Medical Examinations in Cases Involving Failure to Provide Medical Care

Abstract

The poor quality of expert reports prepared at the stage of preliminary investigation constitutes the main reason for summoning expert witnesses to testify before a court of law and posing numerous questions to them. The same applies to the examinations conducted on case materials, both in the course of criminal and civil proceedings. Тhe lack of internal quality control over forensic medical examinations in cases related to inadequate medical care may compromise the reliability and scientific validity of conclusions. Forensic medical examinations related to the cases of inadequate medical care constitute the primary source of evidence affecting the validity and legitimacy of decisions made by law enforcement agencies about the criminal liability of medical staff. In addition, scientifically unfounded expert conclusions may lead to investigative and judicial errors.Conclusion. Strict internal control over the forensic medical examinations is necessary to ensure that state forensic medical institutions produce expert reports fully compliant with the requirements of Law No. 73-FZ, which naturally should begin with a self-check.