Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
About Us
- To provide high-quality education in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, equipping medical students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical values required to practice medicine responsibly within the framework of law. The Department is committed to developing competent physicians who are professionally accountable, legally informed, ethically sensitive, and socially responsible.
Upon successful completion of the course, the learner will be able to:
- Conduct comprehensive medico-legal examinations and prepare accurate, scientifically sound medico-legal reports and certificates.
- Perform medico-legal autopsies systematically and interpret post-mortem findings in accordance with established scientific and legal standards.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of medical ethics, professional conduct, patients' rights, physicians' duties, medical negligence, and the legal responsibilities of healthcare professionals toward patients, society, and the justice system.
- Apply relevant laws, regulations, and judicial procedures governing medical practice and medico-legal cases.
- Collect, preserve, document, and dispatch biological specimens and other medico-legal evidence to appropriate forensic laboratories and government agencies while maintaining the chain of custody.
- Recognize, diagnose, and manage common poisoning cases, and understand their medico-legal implications and principles of treatment.
Head of Department's Message
Welcome to the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. I am pleased to welcome you to our department. Forensic Medicine is an important branch of medical science that connects medicine with law. It helps in the investigation of crimes, delivery of justice, and protection of human rights through scientific examination and expert medical opinion.
Our department is dedicated to providing quality education to undergraduate and postgraduate students, conducting meaningful research, and offering medico-legal services. We aim to develop knowledgeable, skilled, and ethical medical professionals who understand their responsibilities towards society.
The department is actively involved in teaching, research, medico-legal work, and various academic activities. We encourage our students to think scientifically, follow ethical principles, and adopt evidence-based medical practice.
With experienced faculty members and a student-friendly learning environment, we strive to promote academic excellence, professional growth, and lifelong learning. We remain committed to strengthening forensic medicine education and supporting both the healthcare and legal systems.
Infrastructure
- Museum:The department boasts an impressive museum, displaying specimens of bone, weapons, poisons, radiographs, photographs, wet specimens, models, and charts for educating the students and also for the information to the visitors.
- Toxicology Garden: We have developed a toxicology garden with more than 25 species of poisonous plants commonly known to cause toxicity. Each plant has a name and QR code displayed which after scanning shows the relevant information regarding the plant.
- Practical Laboratory: The department has well equipped practical laboratory of size 200 sq m with a capacity of 75 students. The laboratory is well equipped with projector, X-ray view boxes, microscopes etc.
- Research Laboratory:The research laboratory attached to the practical laboratory has all the necessary equipment like microscopes, anthropometric set, spectrometer, dissection sets etc.
Research and Publications : (Last 3 years)
- Dhokia GR, Rautji R, Shivakumar DK, Manral I, Radhakrishna KV, et al. Unnatural deaths in Western Maharashtra: An autopsy-based ten-year cross-sectional analytical study. J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2024;41(2):23-30.
- Kumar A, Rautji R, Mridha AR, Behera C. Fatal asphyxia due to large laryngeal granuloma. Autops Case Rep. 2024;14: e2024496.
- Devassy S, Rautji R, Mridha AR, Behera C. Fatal choking due to aspiration of roundworm during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Med Leg J. 2025;93(3):166-168.
- Rautji R, Dingre N, Karmarkar M, Gaikwad R. Effective and professional handling of medico-legal cases in a busy tertiary care hospital emergency medicine department and solutions to address challenges. J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2025;42(2):157-160.
- Varun A, Rautji R, Kumar P, Behera C. Suicidal cut throat with hand saw. Med Leg J. 2025:1-3.
- Rautji R. Virtual autopsy: A boon or bane. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2025;34(1):64-66.
- Manral I, Rautji R, Radhakrishna KV, Sarala M, Kumar T, Makhani CS. Granny battering: A review of literature on elderly abuse in India and its medicolegal implications. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2026;47(4):1-3.
- Rautji R, Dingre N. Use of graphic medicine for teaching forensic medicine to undergraduate medical students. J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2026;42(4):74-77.
Collaboration & Consultancy
Academic Collaboration
The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology has established an academic collaboration with the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, to enhance experiential learning and provide students with comprehensive exposure to forensic pathology.
As part of this collaboration, undergraduate medical students are provided the opportunity to observe medico-legal autopsies conducted at AFMC, Pune. This exposure enables students to correlate theoretical concepts with practical forensic procedures in a structured academic environment. Observing autopsy techniques, systematic external and internal examinations, specimen collection, and medico-legal documentation helps students develop a deeper understanding of forensic pathology and strengthens their competency in accordance with the National Medical Commission (NMC) Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum.
This collaboration bridges the gap between classroom teaching and real-world forensic practice, enriching the learning experience and preparing students to confidently undertake their future medico-legal responsibilities.
Consultancy Services
The Department provides expert medico-legal consultancy to clinicians, hospital administrators, investigating agencies, and judicial authorities. Consultancy services include:
- Expert opinion on complex medico-legal cases.
- Guidance on medico-legal documentation and maintenance of medical records.
- Consultation regarding injury interpretation and forensic evidence.
- Advice on collection, preservation, and dispatch of medico-legal specimens.
- Support in medico-legal audits and quality improvement initiatives.
- Expert witness services and assistance in legal proceedings, whenever required.
Through academic collaborations and expert consultancy services, the Department remains committed to promoting excellence in forensic education, strengthening medico-legal practice, and supporting the effective administration of justice.
Extension Activities
The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is committed to extending its expertise beyond academic teaching by actively contributing to healthcare, legal awareness, community welfare, and capacity building. Through various extension activities, the department promotes ethical medical practice, medico-legal awareness, and public health while strengthening collaboration with healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and the community.
Community Awareness Programmes
Faculty members actively participate in community outreach initiatives to raise awareness on important medico-legal and public health issues, including:
- Road traffic accident prevention
- Poisoning prevention and first aid
- Substance abuse and its medico-legal implications
- Prevention of violence against women and children
- Child abuse and elder abuse awareness
- Organ donation and ethical issues in healthcare
- Consumer rights and responsibilities in healthcare
Capacity Building for Healthcare Professionals
The department conducts regular orientation and skill-development programmes for clinicians, interns, and nursing staff on:
- Medico-legal case management
- Medical record documentation
- Collection and preservation of forensic evidence
- Chain of custody procedures
- Consent and confidentiality
- Courtroom procedures and expert witness responsibilities
Academic Outreach
To promote interest in forensic medicine among medical students, the department encourage students to attend:
- Intercollegiate quizzes
- Guest lectures by forensic experts
- Case-based discussions
- Workshops and seminars
- Student research presentations
- Observation visits to forensic facilities through institutional collaborations
These initiatives encourage lifelong learning and foster academic excellence.
Social Responsibility
The department actively participates in institutional outreach programmes and public awareness campaigns in collaboration with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Through these initiatives, the department strives to promote justice, ethical medical practice, and community well-being.
Awards & Achievements
The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology takes pride in the academic accomplishments of its students, which reflect the department's commitment to excellence in teaching, mentorship, and holistic learning.
Intercollegiate Forensic Medicine Quiz – SYMBI-INTEL 2026
Our third-year MBBS students, Ms. Khushi Malik and Ms. Shreya Sharma, secured the First Prize in the prestigious Intercollegiate Forensic Medicine Quiz – SYMBI-INTEL 2026, organized by Symbiosis Medical College for Women, Pune, on 12 May 2026.
This remarkable achievement demonstrates the students' outstanding knowledge of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, critical thinking, and teamwork. It also reflects the department's sustained efforts in fostering academic excellence, encouraging healthy competition, and promoting active participation in co-curricular and intercollegiate academic activities.
The Department congratulates the winners on this significant accomplishment and wishes them continued success in their future academic and professional pursuits.
Patient Services & Facilities
Compassionate Medico-Legal Care
The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is committed to providing timely, ethical, and patient-centered medico-legal services while ensuring dignity, privacy, and respect for every individual. Our team works closely with clinicians, law enforcement agencies, and judicial authorities to facilitate accurate medico-legal evaluation without compromising patient care.
Services Offered
The Department provides comprehensive medico-legal support, including:
- Medico-Legal Examination: Examination of injured persons and victims of alleged offences as referred by the appropriate authorities.
- Examination of Survivors of Sexual Assault: Conducted in a sensitive, confidential, and trauma-informed environment, ensuring dignity, privacy, and adherence to national guidelines.
- Medico-Legal Documentation: Preparation of injury certificates, medico-legal reports, and other statutory documents with accuracy and impartiality.
- Collection, Preservation, and Forwarding of Forensic Evidence: Maintaining a strict chain of custody for laboratory examination.
- Expert Opinion and Consultation: Assistance for clinicians and investigating agencies in complex medico-legal cases.
- Court Assistance: Preparation of expert opinions and appearance before courts of law whenever required.
Our Commitment to Patients
The Department is dedicated to:
- Compassionate Care: Providing respectful, compassionate, and non-discriminatory care to all individuals.
- Confidentiality & Ethics: Ensuring confidentiality and protection of patient information in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
- Service Delivery: Delivering prompt and scientifically accurate medico-legal services.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working collaboratively with healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive appropriate medical treatment alongside medico-legal evaluation.
- Patient & Family Support: Supporting victims and their families with empathy while facilitating the legal process.
Through these services, the Department strives to uphold the rights of patients, promote ethical medical practice, and contribute to the fair administration of justice.
Innovative Teaching Learning Activities:
The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is committed to adopting innovative teaching methodologies that enhance student learning and professional competency. One of the department's key best practices is the integration of digital media into undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
The use of digital media has significantly improved conceptual understanding, encouraged active student participation, and enhanced confidence in applying theoretical knowledge to practical medico-legal situations. The department has consistently received positive feedback from students, who have reported improved learning experiences and better performance in university theory and practical examinations.
Best Practices
The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology occupies a unique position within the medical college by serving as a vital interface between Medicine and Law. While the department is not directly involved in routine patient care, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring that medical practice is legally compliant, ethically sound, and scientifically robust.
Faculty members actively support clinicians and healthcare institutions by providing expert guidance in medico-legal matters, including case documentation, injury interpretation, death investigations, and legal reporting. The department is dedicated to developing medical graduates who are competent in managing medico-legal responsibilities and confident in fulfilling their professional and legal obligations.
A distinctive feature of the department is its Medico-Legal Cell, which serves as a dedicated resource for clinicians and healthcare professionals. The Cell provides expert assistance in:
- Management of medico-legal cases
- Preparation and documentation of medico-legal reports
- Maintenance of accurate and legally sound medical records
- Collection, preservation, and dispatch of medico-legal evidence and biological samples
- Guidance for court appearances and expert witness testimony
Through these initiatives, the department contributes significantly to quality healthcare delivery, ethical medical practice, and the effective administration of justice.