The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology imparts undergraduate teaching to MBBS students in accordance with the CBME curriculum across Phase II and Phase III. Teaching is delivered through a structured blend of didactic lectures, small-group teaching, self-directed learning, student seminars, and regular assignments, ensuring both conceptual clarity and clinical relevance.
The department places strong emphasis on competency-based learning and medico-legal skill development. Lecture sessions are designed to cover the theoretical foundations of forensic medicine, medical jurisprudence, and toxicology, while practical sessions focus on hands-on training in the preparation, completion, and interpretation of medico-legal documents and certificates. These include wound certificates, age estimation reports, drunkenness examination forms, medico-legal examination of the foetus, sexual offence examination documentation, viscera packing procedures, and interpretation of post-mortem certificates.
Students are also trained to recognize the medico-legal importance of bones, weapons, poisons, plant specimens, and other materials commonly encountered in forensic practice. OSPE-based training is integrated into practical teaching, and practical records are evaluated systematically, with record marks contributing to internal assessment.
“To develop a competent forensic medicine department providing quality undergraduate education and ethical medico-legal services.”
The department is supported by a well-developed academic environment that facilitates teaching, learning, and research. The mortuary complex is equipped with autopsy suites, cold storage chambers, viscera packing facilities, and student viewing arrangements, enabling effective medico-legal observation and training.
The departmental museum serves as an important teaching resource, housing a wide range of specimens and exhibits that support visual learning and practical understanding. The museum contains the following teaching specimens:
The department maintains separate undergraduate and research laboratories. The UG laboratory is utilized for specimen demonstration and practical teaching, while the research laboratory supports histopathology, serology, anthropology, and related academic work.
Important Research Laboratory Equipment
The research laboratory is equipped with essential instruments that support teaching and research activities, including:
The departmental library contains a substantial collection of 690 books, including standard textbooks, reference books, and national and international journals in forensic medicine and toxicology. In addition, students and faculty have access to K-Hub e-journals and DELNET e-journals, ensuring access to current literature and supporting evidence-based learning and research.
The central library further strengthens the academic ecosystem by providing access to 137 journals relevant to forensic medicine and toxicology, including both printed and electronic resources.
| Type | Indian | Foreign | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed Journals | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| E-Journals | 23 | 112 | 135 |
| Grand Total | 24 | 113 | 137 |
The department follows a structured and competency-oriented teaching methodology. The department is supported by adequate faculty members to meet teaching and training requirements. Undergraduate students receive exposure not only to theoretical aspects but also to practical medico-legal procedures, documentation, and case-based learning. The teaching program is designed to bridge classroom knowledge with real-world medico-legal responsibilities. Regular academic activities such as seminars, assignments, and OSPE sessions further strengthen student engagement and learning outcomes. The integration of practical records into internal assessment ensures continuous evaluation and reinforces student accountability.
During M.B.B.S. (Rajah Muthiah Medical College-RMMC)
