• About Us
  • The TFT Story
  • Team
  • Write for TFT
  • Online advertisement tariff
  • Donate To Us
The Friday Times - Naya Daur
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
  • Home
  • Editorials
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Videos
  • Citizens’ Voice
  • Lifestyle
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Good Times
  • More
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Write for TFT
    • The TFT Story
    • Donate To Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Editorials
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Videos
  • Citizens’ Voice
  • Lifestyle
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Good Times
  • More
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Write for TFT
    • The TFT Story
    • Donate To Us
No Result
View All Result
The Friday Times - Naya Daur
No Result
View All Result
Home Features

Medico-Legal: Connecting The Dots Between Crime And Criminal

A medico-legal officer is meant to be the first stop for a victim in extreme distress – to empower her to take charge and emerge as a survivor. But, experts say, this job is easier said than done

Dr. Summaiya Syed-Tariq by Dr. Summaiya Syed-Tariq
June 22, 2022
Medico-Legal: Connecting The Dots Between Crime And Criminal
44
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In a cruel, unjust and patriarchal world, being a woman, a child or a trans person is the worst fate one could possibly face.

For women like me, who are raised with a liberal mindset and who choose to work with the less fortunate people, this world is a sad, depressing and frustrating place. I routinely meet elderly people, children and trans persons that have been subjected to psychological, physical and sexual abuse. One of my tasks is to empower victims to become survivors. With few resources, shelters and rehabilitation centres for the abused, this is a rather overwhelming task.

The first step towards empowerment is knowledge. While some survivors cannot overcome victimhood, some are able to shun their past and move forward – depending on the extent of support, empathy, sensitivity and understanding they receive from their caregivers. For a mentally and physically traumatised crime victim, dealing with police, doctor, court staff and lawyer is tough.

The task of a medico-legal officers or examining doctors is crucial, as they connect the investigation to prosecution, with the court delivering a just verdict. They record documentable harm done to the victim’s body and mind.

A victim of abuse may go directly to the medico-legal office at the nearest government hospital or may choose to lodge a complaint at the nearest police station. A police officer will then take the victim to the medico-legal officer (MLO). This is the first step, empowering victims to take charge and emerge as a survivor.

The victim is entitled to receive a readable copy of the MLC as soon as examination and documentation are done. The documentation is not to be delayed at all.

The MLO notes the victim’s injuries, collects evidence such as swabs and samples of body fluids for laboratory analysis as well as utilise facilities such as ultrasound and X-rays, and refers the victims to consultants if needed. The victim’s clothes must also be sent for laboratory analysis.

Ideally, there is no fee for the medico-legal certificate (MLC), but some centres charge for investigations ordered and laboratory support, depending on available facilities and budget.

The victim is entitled to receive a readable copy of the MLC as soon as examination and documentation are done. The documentation is not to be delayed at all. However, the MLO’s job does not end with completing the MLC. He or she is duty bound to issue a final report on the basis of the laboratory and other reports, and, finally, appear in a court of law, when summoned, as a prosecution witness.

The MLC connects the dots — from crime to criminal — making it an important document. A complete, detailed medico-legal certificate is a medico-legal officer’s huge responsibility. But this is one job that is easier said than done.

Also Read:

Consuming Politics: Of Love, Comedy, Action, Drama And Tragedy

Conversations With Europe’s Legendary Chief Rabbi

Tags: medicalcrimechild abusesexual abusecriminalMedico Legal Examinationmedico-legalMLCMLOtrans persons
Share18Tweet11SendSend
Previous Post

Sindh High Court Stops Police From Conducting Aamir Liaquat’s Postmortem

Next Post

Nawaz Sharif May Be Arrested On Return To Pakistan If He Does Not Secure Transit Bail: Minister

Dr. Summaiya Syed-Tariq

Dr. Summaiya Syed-Tariq

The writer is a doctor at Jinnah Hospital, Karachi.

Next Post
Nawaz Sharif May Be Arrested On Return To Pakistan If He Does Not Secure Transit Bail: Minister

Nawaz Sharif May Be Arrested On Return To Pakistan If He Does Not Secure Transit Bail: Minister

Recent News

Arfi Alvi Surprise To CJ Bandial | Tareen New Party | Nawaz Disqualification Ends? | Imran Fake News

Arfi Alvi Surprise To CJ Bandial | Tareen New Party | Nawaz Disqualification Ends? | Imran Fake News

May 30, 2023
Army Chief

Nexus Between Internal Elements, External Forces Stands Exposed: Army Chief

May 30, 2023

Jashn-e-Jaun Elia Held At Al Hamra Arts Council

May 29, 2023

Twitter

Newsletter



Donate To Us

The Friday Times – Naya Daur

THE TRUTH WILL OUT


The Friday Times is Pakistan’s first independent weekly, founded in 1989. In 2021, the publication went into collaboration with digital news platform Naya Daur Media to publish under a daily cycle.


Social Media

Latest News

  • All
  • News
  • Editorials
  • Features
  • Analysis
  • Lifestyle
Arfi Alvi Surprise To CJ Bandial | Tareen New Party | Nawaz Disqualification Ends? | Imran Fake News

Arfi Alvi Surprise To CJ Bandial | Tareen New Party | Nawaz Disqualification Ends? | Imran Fake News

by Mian Hamza Arif
May 30, 2023
0

Arfi Alvi Surprise To CJ Bandial | Tareen...

Army Chief

Nexus Between Internal Elements, External Forces Stands Exposed: Army Chief

by News Desk
May 30, 2023
0

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir...

Social Feed

  • About Us
  • The TFT Story
  • Team
  • Write for TFT
  • Online advertisement tariff
  • Donate To Us

© 2022 All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Editorials
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Videos
  • Citizens’ Voice
  • Lifestyle
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Good Times
  • More
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Write for TFT
    • The TFT Story
    • Donate To Us

© 2022 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist