Conceptual Change in the law of Medicolegal Certification of injuries

Abstract

The Laws relating the offences against the human body has completely changed with the promulgation of the Criminal Law Ordinance, commonly called Qisas and Diyat Law but the doctors in their medicolegal certificates still express their opinions according to the previous law, which causes problem for the courts to assess the true nature of injury. This practice should immediately be stopped as it confuses the facts, dims the issue and hinders the dispensation of justice. Qisas and Diyat Law has introduced new classification of hurt (injury), which is more clear and elaborate. Besides, this law has provided compensation for physical sufferings due to criminal hurts for the first time in Pakistan. The provisions for the grant of compensation for criminal damages are Arsh, Daman and diyat. In addition there is a provision of qisas. These legal terms should be clearly understood before undertaking medico legal certification.