Organization of legal medicine in the Republic of Moldova and abroad

Abstract

Introduction. The harmonious organization of the forensic medical service leads to a wellfunctioning institution that ensures respect for human rights in relation to crimes against human life, health and dignity. Efficient organizational management of forensic institutions, including forensic medicine, is a priority of the state, which assumes the protection of fundamental human rights. Aim of study. The aim of the study consists in analysis of the organizational systems of forensic services, in particular forensic medicine, in Moldova and abroad. Methods and materials. The work is based on normative acts from Moldova, Romania, including institutional organization and functioning, a report on "Functional analysis of the national system of judicial expertise institutions in the Republic of Moldova" and other sources were analyzed. Results. The system of public forensic expertise institutions in Moldova is coordinated by the Ministry of Justice and includes three large, specialized institutions: National Centre for Forensic Expertise (Ministry of Justice), Centre of Forensic Medicine (Ministry of Health) and TechnicalCriminalistic and Forensic Expertise Centre (Ministry of Internal Affairs). The state may establish other institutions, public subdivisions, such as Directorate 4 of the General Directorate of Operational Assurance of the National Anti-Corruption Centre, the Directorate of Document Expertise under the General Inspectorate of Border Police. The Centre of Forensic Medicine, is a unique public institution of forensic expertise in Moldova, specialized in forensic medicine and forensic psychiatric expertise, with the mission to provide scientific-practical means of evidence to contribute to the dispensation of justice and the improvement of healthcare in order to respect human rights. The structure of the forensic expertise system in Romania and other countries, like in the Republic of Moldova, involves multiple institutions from the Ministries of Justice, Interior Affairs, and Health. However, forensic medicine comprises entities like the Institute of Forensic Medicine "Prof. Dr. Mina Minovici" in Bucharest, forensic medicine institutes in university medical centers, and county forensic medicine services and offices, fostering collaboration. Conclusion. The Forensic Medicine in the Republic of Moldova is organizationally similar to most forensic systems in other countries, but even if it is organized and regulated by a set of normative acts, it needs more improvements oriented towards the quality of forensic and psychiatric forensic services.