Diploma in Forensic Medicine & Science (For legal Professionals)

Basic Information

The Diploma in Forensic Medicine and Science Program for Legal professionals conducted by the
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is a revolutionary step in inter-disciplinary adult
education in Sri Lanka. The program recently celebrated 25 years from its commencement in 1995. Many
senior members of the judiciary, Attorney Generals department and private Bar and senior academics in
the legal arena have successfully completed this high-in-demand diploma program.

It is designed for practicing lawyers, judicial officers, academics with an interest in the field and policy
makers with a legal background. It gives a cutting edge to mainly practicing criminal lawyers, who would
be able to sharpen their skills in leading or challenging medical and scientific evidence. Judicial officers
whose informed decisions are based on evaluating the scientific evidence in the relevant criminal cases
also would benefit from this course.

The Program Coordinator, Chair Professor Jean Perera, whose expertise has been effectively utilized in
many controversial criminal cases, with her 33 years of experience as a practicing forensic medical expert
in Sri Lanka as well as overseas, is a founding lecturer of the 25 year old evolving program.

The internal lecturer panel who have been trained overseas, in UK, Canada and Australia comprise of Prof
Jean Perera, Dr. Sameera Gunawardena Head of Department, Dr. Asela Mendis and Deputy Coordinator
Dr Ravindra Samaranayake. Their expertise extends beyond borders to providing expert evidence in
criminal trials in Seychelles and in Fiji islands.

External lecturer panel comprises of senior members of the Judiciary, Senior Prosecutors of Attorney
General’s Department, consultant judicial medical officers and Professors of Forensic Medicine from other
universities, Academics from other related disciplines, forensic Psychiatrists, Forensic odontologists,
Human Genetic specialists, ballistics, crime scene, cybercrime, Document experts, other forensic science
experts and higher ranking police officers. This adds to the diversity and rich content of the teaching
learning activities.

Over the years the program structure and assessments have evolved from a lecture program with didactic
lectures to interactive visually dynamic lectures, practical demonstrations and discussion forum. Hands
on workshop on crime scene management and disaster victim identification and seminars on topical issues
are new attractions. Autopsy demonstrations are eagerly looked forward to by many candidates. An
interactive teaching learning activity on social media is an added innovation in keeping with current trends
in Higher education and blended learning opportunities. In-spite of its set-backs, the online platforms have
added some new dimension to it by making it accessible to learners irrespective of the geographical
location of the student or the lecturer.

Currently there is provision for follow up of students, attention to student concerns and students with
disabilities and learning difficulties with friendly coordinating staff, thus maintaining inclusive education.
There will be a system of extra coaching for students who drop-out of the program due to their
employment and family commitments thus maintaining a student friendly environment.

The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology as well as the Faculty of Medicine and the University
are committed to continuously upgrading this challenging program embodying the law, medical and
Science interface.

Objectives / learning Outcomes

The main objective of the course is to provide up-to-date, advanced and relevant knowledge, skills and
attitudes in Forensic Medicine and Science to members of the legal profession.

 To enable judges, lawyers and legally qualified academics to have a better understanding of the
interface between law, forensic medicine and science
 To be better equipped to evaluate and consider expert medical and scientific evidence for
expeditious and efficient administration of justice.

At the completion of the course the diplomates would be able to,

 Describe relevant medical and scientific terms and usages commonly occurring in reports,
evidence and literature, and the law relevant to legal medicine and forensic sciences.
 Explain the meanings of relevant technical terms and phrases, and be able to use them in
communicating ideas in situations where these have a bearing on the interpretation of the law,
and in the effective dispensation of justice.

Interpret medical and forensic science reports and documents, and be able to handle expert evidence
effectively in a court of law.

 Utilize medical and scientific evidence, while being sensitive to its limitations.
 Demonstrate attitudes of team spirit in the investigation of crime and dispensation of Justice
 Effectively communicate with and demonstrate respect towards expert witnesses, and build
healthy interpersonal relationships with them.
 Explain the nature of specified practical procedures and utilize the findings/opinions regarding
them in procedures of investigation, litigation and dispensation of justice.
Duration

 12 months
 Approximately 160 hours of lectures, over 50 hours of seminars, workshops, demonstrations,
tutorials.

To Whom / Entry Criteria

 Attorneys at law and those who have a first degree in Law

 An interview may be held to select candidates

Teaching Methods

 Interactive Lectures online as well as onsite.

 Workshops on crime scene investigation, disaster victim identification, and gender-based
violence.
 Seminars and webinars on death investigation systems, expert medical witness, death in
custody, and torture.
 Small group demonstrations of Post- Mortem Examinations and mock exhumations.
 Mock-trial and other role plays.
 Hands-on demonstrations of skulls and other skeletal remains, human organs
 Medium of instructions – English.

Assessment Methods

 In-course continuous assessments may include multiple choice questions, assignments and
quizzes.
 The final examination leading to Diploma in Forensic Medicine and Science will be held at the
end of the course.
o The final theory examination will consist of multiple-choice questions and short answer
questions.
o A viva voce examination
 The participants who successfully complete the course with 80% attendance will be awarded a
certificate of participation if requested.

Lecturer panel

Internal:

1. Prof. Jean Perera, Chair Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.

2. Dr. Asela Mendis, Senior Lecturer and former Head.
3. Dr. Sameera Gunawardena, Senior Lecturer and Head of Department.
4. Dr. Ravindra Samaranayake, Senior Lecturer.
5. Ms. Madhu Gunathilake, Scientific Assistant.
External:

1. Members of the Judiciary.

2. Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Emeritus Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of
Colombo.
3. Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Chief Consultant Judicial Medical Officer, Institute of Legal Medicine and
Toxicology, Colombo.
4. Prof. Indira Kitulwatte, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, University of Kelaniya.
5. Mr. A. Wellianga, Government Analyst of Sri Lanka (retired).
6. Mr. P.G. Madawala, Additional Government Analyst of Sri Lanka.
7. Dr. Champika Amarasinghe, Director General, National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health.
8. Dr. Sunil Abeyrathne, Expert on Digital evidence, Chair, Communications, Technology and Data
Protection Committee | LAWASIA.
9. Dr. Ruwan Illeperuma PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,
The Open University of Sri Lanka.
10. Mr. Madawa Tennakoon, Deputy Solicitor General, Attorney General’s Department.
11. Ms. Ayesha Jinasena, President’s Counsel, Additional Solicitor General, Attorney General’s
Department.
12. Mr. Palitha Fernando P.C., Former Attorney General of Sri Lanka.
13. Dr. Saumya Madhri Senanayake, Lecturer, Dept. of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo.
14. Dr. Sisira Ranasinghe, Forensic Odontologist, Institute of Legal Medicine and Toxicology,
Colombo.
15. Mr. Jayasundara, Document expert, Govt. Analyst’s Department.

Course / Registration / Other Fees

 Application Fee: Rs. 1,000/-

 Registration Fee: Rs. 10,000/-
 Course Fee: Rs. 140,000/-
 Examination Fee: Rs. 5,000/-

* Application fee can be made at any Peoples Bank branch or online using pay.cmb.ac.lk in account of
Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo using the application code - 311052400008.

* The course fee of Rs. 140,000/- could be paid in 3 installments of Rs. 80,000/- Initial payment, and two
subsequent installments of Rs. 30,000/- each.

* Online payment facility through debit/credit card is available.

Course Contents
1. INTRODUCTORY MODULE (15 HOURS)

1.1 Introduction to Forensic Medicine

1.2 Inquests – legal and medicolegal aspects

1.3 Basic Anatomy and Physiology –Applied to medico-legal matters

1.4 Important Clinico-pathological concepts in Forensic Medicine

2. INJURIES (25 HOURS)

2.1 categorization of hurt

2.2 Causative weapons of injuries

2.3 Healing, ageing and complications of injuries

2.4 Fractures – complications and medico-legal significance

2.5 Head injuries

2.6 Regional injuries

2.7 Physical injuries

2.8 Electrical injuries and lightning

2.9 Firearm injuries

2.10 Explosive injuries

2.11 Injuries/deaths in special circumstances

3. FORENSIC PATHOLOGY (30 HOURS)

3.1 Pathology of sudden natural death

3.2 Forensic Pathology related to violence

3.3 Asphyxia

3.4 Diagnosis of Death, Brain stem death

3.5 Changes after death and time since death

3.6 Judicial autopsy / Medico-legal autopsy

4. CLINICAL FORENSIC MEDICINE (30 HOURS)

 4.1 Sexual offences

4.2 Pregnancy and abortion

4.3 Industrial diseases and injuries

5. FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS AND SUBSPECIALTIES (20 HOURS)

5.1 Forensic Odontology

5.2 Forensic radiology

5.3 Scene of crime

5.4 Forensic psychiatry

5.5 Forensic pediatrics

5.6 The application of genetics in Forensic Medicine

5.7 Identification

5.8 Toxicology

5.9 Medico-legal aspects of alcohol

5.10 Drugs and drug abuse

6. LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN FORENSIC MEDICINE (10 HOURS)

6.1 Hurt, causation and other legal aspects

6.2 Ethical and legal aspects of medical practice

6.3 Ethical and legal aspects of Organ transplantation

6.4 Human rights

6.5 Expert Evidence

For more Information please contact:

Prof. Jean Perera,

Course Coordinator,
+94 112 694 016/ 0776765983
jean@fortox.cmb.ac.lk
Dr. Ravindra Samaranayake
Deputy course coordinator,
ravindras@fortox.cmb.ac.lk

Ms. Udeshika Senavirathne

Course manager,
0777595866
udeshika@fortox.cmb.ac.lk