Credibility of Medicolegal Certificates issued by Medical Officers — A study at two centres

Abstract

Two hundred and sixty four Medicolegal cases were re-examined during the span of three years for correctness or otherwise of the challenged Medicolegal certificates issued by the first examining medical officers, referred by the higher authorities. More than 55% of issued certificates were incorrect either due to faulty observations and/or defective interpretations, whereas accuracy is mandatory for dispension of justice. Some measures are also suggested for improvement of the Medicolegal work.