The Forensic Medicine Division (FMD) of the Health Sciences Authority is the national provider of forensic medical consultancy services in the examination of Coroner's cases. FMD is staffed by a strong team of highly qualified forensic pathologists and supporting staff.
The death investigation system in Singapore requires that all deaths which occur suddenly without a known cause or are suspected to be due to unnatural causes are reportable to the Coroner. FMD advises the State Coroner as to whether an autopsy would be recommended in the determination of the cause of death and documentation of injuries. If an autopsy is authorized, FMD would proceed to carry out the necessary examinations at the Mortuary@HSA to provide further inputs into the investigation of the death. The findings at the autopsy become part of the evidence adduced subsequently in Coroner's Inquiries and criminal trials. These findings are also used in hospital mortality rounds and internal inquiries as well as in Singapore Medical Council Disciplinary hearings.
The autopsy service is also extended to private clients in non-Coroner's cases, such as deaths in international waters. During the SARS outbreak in 2003, FMD's expertise was called upon to assist in the recovery of biological material to facilitate diagnosis and understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Our forensic consultancy services (including autopsy work) have also been provided to our clients in regional countries.
Our pathologists also attend crime scenes, in support of scene investigation by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in homicides and suspicious deaths. We work closely with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In addition, FMD offers clinical forensic medical consultations, by transferring and applying its professional expertise gained in understanding trauma and injury in the dead, to the living cases on subjects of violence resulting from child abuse, sexual offences and spousal abuse.
As part of our one-stop service to next-of-kin, it acts as an agent of the Registry of Births and Deaths, providing the death certification services for Coroner's cases.
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Milestones
| 1960's: | Establishment of the Forensic Pathology services as Forensic Pathology section of the Department of Pathology, under the late Prof Chao Tzee Cheng, who is deemed to be the Father of Forensic Medicine in Singapore. |
| 1978: | Involvement in Mass Disaster: Spyros Incident Victim Identification and accident reconstruction. |
| 1983: | Relocation of the old Mortuary to Block 9 Singapore General Hospital. |
| 1986: | Involvement in Mass Disaster Hotel New World. : Victim Identification. |
| 1989: | Formation of the Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) under the Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine, led by the Late Prof Chao Tzee Cheng as Dept Director, Apr 1989 - Sep 1997. |
| 1997: | Involvement in Mass Disaster SilkAir MI 185 in Palembang. |
| 1997: | Dr Wee Keng Poh became Director, DFM (Sep 1997 - Mar 2001). |
| 2001: | April. Formation of the Health Sciences Authority. DFM is renamed to Centre for Forensic Medicine. Director: Dr Paul P S Chui. |
| 2003: | March: Major Renovations to Mortuary commenced to upgrade Biosafety level and Public Waiting Area. |
| 2003: | March to May: Involvement in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak in East and South East Asia. |
| 2004: | Patent filed for Innovative Design for a Biosafety Level 4 Containerised Autopsy Facility. |
| 2004: | Dec 26, Involvement in Indian Ocean Tsunami: Victim Identification Effort in Phuket, Thailand. |
| 2005: | Accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). |
| 2008: | The Centre for Forensic Medicine has been restructured into the Forensic Medicine Division. |
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