Nursing Department

Name:EVANS NGETICH

Reg. No:NUR/MG/2002/09/17

Course:Forensic Nursing

Course Code:NURS333

TASK:Forensic Deontology

FORENSIC DEONTOLOGY

Deon is a Greek word meaning obligation.The concept of Deontological ethics was first
described by Immanuel Kant(1924-1804).He stated that moral ethics are either right or wrong
on principle and we all have a duty to do good no matter the circumstances that come by. He
stated that duty is the nomative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on
rules. It is sometimes described as obligation or rule based ethics.This is on the basis of the idea
that rules bund us to our duty. Deontology is sometimes contrasted to
consequentialism.Immanuel Kant argued that it is not the consequences of our actions that
make people right or wrong but the motives of the of the person that carried out the action in
question.Kant argues that a person has a good will only when he acts out of respect for moral
law.Forensic deontology therefore comprises symbiosis of professionalism and ethics.

Forensic Deontology

Despite its unique characteristics,ethics expertise cannot be separated from medical and
general ethics. This unique characteristics all come from the specific content ,goal and work
environment of forensic medicine and they do not fall on outside the bounds of medical ethics.
The focus of forensic experts is to determine medical facts which they afterwards interprate in
order to formulate the truth that is useful in resolution of a given legal question.This is then
used to service justice for instance in the court of law,something which has been the subject of
human aspiration from the start of mankind. This therefore gives rise to to the fundamental
moral and ethical question of forensic experts.Any forensic expert should possess utmost level
of ethics and professional morality. They should always be conscious of their own responsibility
and self criticism when accepting to act as a forensic expert and should always remain in
control whenever they are faced with various pressures for instance from the public,threats for
instance from conflicting parties and even insults that are directed to them(meaning they
should always manage their own emotions while keeping dignity of their profession).They
therefore,should always be conscious that moral integrity, personal freedom, the type and
length of preceding punishment and the livelihood of the suspects and victims depend on the
truthfulness of their testimonies.

Having necessary personality characteristics for instance high level of morality ,ethics and
courage and medical knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of acting as a
forensic expert are preconditions for the correct execution of the duties of the forensic expert.
In deep collision with the personality of real forensi-experts is vanity and corruption. Nothing
should affect the correctness of the conclusion of the expert opinion. It can therefore be said
that ethical and legal norms have from the past determined the profile of the medical experts
and in this case the forensic experts.

Forensic experts will only be humanists well aware of the ethical needs of their profession.This
aspiration towards justice is in harmony with a righteous stance towards life and ethics.Life
always demands for truth and justice.It can be said that since no human is perfect always,
forensic experts too make mistakes sometimes and accepting correction is a show of
professionalism.

The concept of deontology combines both the ethics in forensic science and
professionalism.This combination makes sure that the humane principles of medicine are
protected. For this reason,forensic experts who neglect advancing their education while
performing forensic medicine tasks never get past the threshold of morality and ethics and can
never stand on the platform of justice regardless of their current position or title.

Investigative judge give instructions and directions to forensic team members and these
members should carry themselves in utmost professional and ethical manner while performing
their tasks in the crime scene.This topic of ethics and deontology should therefore not be
closed without commenting on forensic medicine in conflict situations.

Application and conclusion

Forensic deontology enhances professionalism and ethics in the profession. It also enhances
discovering of facts without protectionism and with utmost fairness. This acts help in the court
of law to service justice. It also enhances settling of conflicts that may arise to these experts
while at work.Forensic deontology have strived to give life the truth and justice. Forensic
deontology has strengthened the forensic profession.

References
1.www.doiserbia.nb.rs › ...PDF

Ethics and deontology in forensic medicine - doiSerbia

2.https://youtu.be/_bMpwxhL8Sw

3.https://youtu.be/qMCeaXyrl7k

4.https://youtu.be/4MxPNEAK4V4