A roadmap to the safe practice of forensic medicine in the COVID-19 pandemic

J Forensic Leg Med. 2020 Nov:76:102036. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2020.102036. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced forensic practitioners to consider how we perform our normal duties, especially when those duties involve humans. The potential for contracting the virus from working in close contact with living sufferers is high, and we have yet to fully determine the risk of infection from the deceased. In an attempt to support the community, the Journal of Forensic & Legal Medicine has drawn together three articles which underline the importance of continued forensic medical practice during the pandemic and highlight some factors to consider in a Roadmap towards safe practice. Our Roadmap has intentionally taken an international perspective and supports other work we have published in the Journal on our collective response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Keywords: Autopsy; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Forensic medicine; India; Pathology; Police; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Containment of Biohazards / methods
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Forensic Medicine / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / organization & administration*
  • Mortuary Practice / organization & administration*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Personal Protective Equipment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2