Force Medical Examiner
Encyclopedia
Force Medical Examiner or Forensic Medical Examiner is the term used to describe doctors
used by the police
in the United Kingdom
. The role is more commonly referred to as the FME. There is no one FME, the term simply refers to the Doctor that happens to be on call at any one time. Qualified doctors serving as FMEs generally serve as part of a regional pool for the police stations in their area.
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Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
used by the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The role is more commonly referred to as the FME. There is no one FME, the term simply refers to the Doctor that happens to be on call at any one time. Qualified doctors serving as FMEs generally serve as part of a regional pool for the police stations in their area.
Role
The police may call upon the services of an FME for several different reasons, the most common of which include:- To confirm and certify deathDeathDeath is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
at the scene of a sudden deathSudden deathIn a sport or game, sudden death is a form of competition where play ends as soon as one competitor is ahead of the others, with that competitor becoming the winner. Sudden death is typically used as a tiebreaker when a contest is tied at the end of the normal playing time or the completion of...
, - To examine and provide medical care to injured persons in police custody, or police officers injured on duty,
- To examine those who claim police officers used excessive force or similar malpracticeMalpracticeIn law, malpractice is a type of negligence in, which the professional under a duty to act, fails to follow generally accepted professional standards, and that breach of duty is the proximate cause of injury to a plaintiff who suffers harm...
, and record their findings accordingly and officially, - To be present to take bloodBloodBlood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
samples from suspected drink-drivers who are unable or refusing to provide a breath or urine sample, - To provide official medical opinion where it is needed (e.g. in cases where impairment is a factor), the FME can also be called to court for a medical opinion where a medical factor is disputed.
External links
Article on the work of an FME in PULSE (General practitionerGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
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