Forensic medicine in the German Democratic Republic

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 144; no. 2; pp. 129 - 136
• Main Authors: Strauch, H., Wirth, I., Geserick, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ireland Ltd 10.09.2004; Elsevier; The Lancet Publishing Group, a division of Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Academies and Institutes - history; Biological and medical sciences; Colleges & universities; Criminal procedure; Forensic medicine; Forensic Medicine - history; Forensic Medicine - organization & administration; Forensic sciences; General aspects; German Democratic Republic; Germany, East; History; History, 20th Century; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical jurisprudence; Medical sciences; Medicine; Textbooks as Topic - history; Universities - history; Europe; Germany; Germany, East; History; German Democratic Republic; Forensic medicine; Medicine; German; Case history
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.04.046

Forensic medicine services were resumed in the territory of the Soviet occupation zone in early summer 1945. One coherent legal system was established, following the foundation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), 7 October 1949. Forensic medicine was subject of teaching and examinations from the very outset. Sub-specialisation (fellowship) was introduced in 1955. The Gesellschaft für Gerichtliche Medizin der DDR (GDR Society of Forensic Medicine) was established in 1967 and began to organise with high continuity a wide-ranging variety of scientific events. Almost all administrative districts had their own institute of forensic medicine by 1990.