Programme 01150 / 150 ADMITTED
MBBS (2nd & 3rd Year)
Undergraduate Core Specialty
Batch size150
Structured training in death investigation, legal procedures, and medical ethics with integrated autopsy and crime scene visits.
Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
Expertise at the intersection of medicine, law, and toxicology. We specialize in medico-legal investigations, poisoning analysis, and forensic pathology to support justice and medical ethics.
The Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at AVMCH has over 35 years of UG teaching excellence. We provide comprehensive medico-legal services, including injury examinations, sexual offense evaluations, and expert court testimonies. Our department operates state-of-the-art toxicology and forensic histopathology labs, collaborating closely with law enforcement and the judiciary.
35+ Years of Teaching Excellence
Expert Court Testimony Services
Interactive Google-Quiz Assessments
Department
Science in the service of justice.
We bridge clinical medicine and the legal system through forensic pathology, clinical toxicology, and medical jurisprudence, ensuring accurate documentation of truth.
Forensic Medicine applies medical knowledge to legal matters, including cause/manner of death determination, injury documentation, and identity assessments. Our department specializes in identifying poisons and chemicals to aid criminal investigations. We contribute to justice by providing unbiased scientific evidence, covering everything from post-mortem procedures to emerging molecular analyses.
Our undergraduate program offers unique innovative practices like interactive Google Quizzes for gamified learning, casualty visits for live MLC handling, and elective postings for jail and crime scene investigation visits. Students witness post-mortem procedures first-hand, learning identification techniques and histopathology sampling essential for legal medical practice.
The department handles complex medico-legal cases in casualty, documenting injuries and sexual offenses while ensuring absolute victim confidentiality and dignity.
Interns are integrated into a rigorous program involving pre/post evaluations, MCQ creation assignments, and real-time emergency medico-legal documentation.
Research Focus
Thrust · Stature Estimation, DNA Degradation, Medico-legal Signage
Outreach
Outreach · Anti-Drug Abuse Awareness & Police Collaboration
Mastering Medical Jurisprudence.
Academic Programmes
Programme 02INTERNSHIP READY
Forensic Internship
Post-MBBS Practical Rotation
DurationCompulsory
Hands-on rotation in casualty/emergency for MLC registration, injury documentation, and evidence preservation protocols.
Head of Department
Authority in Forensic Pathology.
The department is led by Dr. Gurudatta S. Pawar, Professor & HOD, an expert with vast experience in medico-legal consultations.
Dr. Gurudatta S. Pawar
Professor & Head · MBBS, MD (FMT)
Dr. Pawar oversees the department's academic and administrative functions, ensuring high-quality forensic education and ethical medico-legal reporting. He leads the team in collaborating with judicial bodies and provides expert testimony in high-profile cases.
Faculty
Experts in Medical Law & Toxicology.
1 qualified professionals committed to clinical excellence.
SJ
Dr. Jeevithan S
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD (FMT)
Research · Thrust Areas
Innovative Forensic Investigations.
Stature Estimation
Estimating stature from foot print and sternum length in specific ethnic populations.
Forensic DNA
Researching the effect of household chemicals on human DNA degradation from a forensic perspective.
Clinical Forensics
Analyzing profiles of medico-legal cases in tertiary casualty settings to improve documentation quality.
Research & Innovation
Unlocking truth through science.
Our faculty are actively involved in research that advances medical knowledge and innovation in medical law, with 13+ recent publications in specialized forensic journals.
Research Snapshot
2 research projects ongoing 13 publications since 2023
| # | Project | PI | Funding | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Estimation of stature from foot print length in Pondicherry population | PI: Dr. A. Haricharan | Intramural | Stature Estimation | Ongoing |
| 02 | Effect of common household chemicals on human DNA: A Forensic perspective | PI: Dr. A. Haricharan | Intramural | DNA Forensics | Ongoing |
Publications
Documenting Medico-legal Milestones.
Forensic Microbiology: A comprehensive review
International Journal of Medical Justice · 3006 –208x
Dr.S.Jeevithan, Dr.A.Haricharan, Dr.G.S.Pawar
A case report of Transgender sexual assault
International Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology · 0973 – 9122
Dr.S.Jeevithan, Dr.A.Haricharan
Diagnostic value of fluid in paranasal sinuses for differentiating Drowning from other causes of death – An autopsy based comparative study
Journal of South India Medical Legal Association · 0974 – 6196
Dr.S.Jeevithan
A cross-sectional study about presence of sternocleidomastoid Hemorrhage & Thoracolumbar vertebral disc hemorrhage as a sign of antemortem hanging
Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine · 0971 - 0973
Dr.S.Jeevithan
Histopathological spectrum of renal changes in fatal antemortem thermal burns – An autopsy based cross sectional study
Journal of South India Medical Legal Association · 0974 – 6196
Dr.S.Jeevithan
Profile of Medico legal cases coming to casualty in a tertiary care Hospital - A Retrospective study
Journal of South India Medical Legal Association · 0974 – 6196
Dr.S.Jeevithan
Comparative analysis of Ectocranial & Endocranial skull suture closure for adult age estimation in autopsy cases
Journal of South India Medical Legal Association · 0974 – 6196
Dr.S.Jeevithan
Retrospective analysis of postmortem findings in married woman who died within 7 years of her marriage - subjected for postmortem examination in Tirunelveli Medical College & Hospital
Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine · 2394 - 6768
Dr.S.Jeevithan
Death Due To Choking In Head Injury Due To Blunt Object: A Case Report
International Journal Of Research And Analytical Reviews · 2349 - 5138
Dr.A.Haricharan
Knowledge and Attitude towards Post-mortem Examination amongst the Residents of Imphal West
International Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology · 0973 – 9122
Dr.A.Haricharan
Estimation of Stature from the Length of the Sternum in the Ethnic Meitei Population- A Study in Medicolegal Autopsies
Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine · 0971 - 0973
Dr.A.Haricharan
Trial In Absentia: A Shift Towards Efficiency Or A Threat To Fair Trial Rights?
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research · 2582 - 2160
Dr.A.Haricharan
Morphology of Lip Prints in Ethnic Meitei Subjects : A Preliminary Analysis of Patterns and Sexual Variation
Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine · 0971 - 0973
Dr.A.Haricharan
Medico-Legal Services
Emergency & Judicial Support.
Casualty MLC
24/7 Documentation
Age Estimation
By Appointment
Sexual Offence
Immediate (Confidential)
Toxicology
Sample Processing
Infrastructure
Comprehensive Forensic Resources.
Forensic Museum
Specimens
Extensive collection of bones, weapons, photographs, and preserved specimens for teaching injuries and toxicology.
Toxicology Research Lab
Equipped
Dedicated lab for toxicology analysis and forensic histopathology research.
Demo & Quiz Room
50 Capacity
Equipped for practical examinations, Google Quizzes, and hands-on sessions like spotters.
Med-Legal Offices
Faculty Hub
Individual workspaces for HOD and faculty for academic coordination and judicial consults.
Philosophy
Forensic · AVMCH
“Providing unbiased scientific evidence to the scales of justice, while upholding the highest standards of medical ethics and victim dignity.
Department of Forensic Medicine, AVMCH & Hospital
Recognition
Academic & Research Excellence.
APJ Abdul Kalam Nation Star Award
Dr. A. Haricharan
Excellent Researcher · Feb 2025
Peer-Review Excellence
Dr. A. Haricharan
Feb 2025
Forensic Consultancy Expert
Dr. A. Haricharan
Feb 2025
Events & Visits
Beyond the Classroom.
26
JUN 2025
International Anti-Drug Abuse Day
Awareness Campaign
Dept of Forensic
28
FEB 2025
Jail Visit (Central Jail Kalapet)
Elective Posting
Final Year Students
01
FEB 2025
Crime Scene Investigation Visit
Forensic Science Dept
Elective Students
19-21
APR 2023
Forensis Pondy 2023
State Conference
AVMCH & Medicolegal Society
Get in Touch
Medico-Legal Contact Point.
For judicial consultations, expert testimony, or academic queries, please reach out to the HOD office.
HOD:Dr. Gurudatta S. Pawar
Email:gurudattapawar.sadashiv@avmc.edu.in
Assistant Prof:Dr. S. Jeevithan (9488466253)
Location:Forensic Block · AVMCH Puducherry