ABSTRACT
The most common method of appointing police surgeons used to be from one particular practice, the position being taken on by succeeding partners as the senior partner retired. Broadly speaking, the work can be divided into non-forensic and forensic duties. The larger forces, such as the Metropolitan Police, have no difficulty in finding doctors of the right calibre who are willing to undertake the necessary training, as the individual case-load results in a substantial income. Non-forensic work may be loosely described as general practice in a police station setting – because of certain constraints, the prisoner, or maybe victim of crime, is unable to visit the surgery. The greater majority of the forensic work includes examination of victims in rape cases, woundings and other crimes against the person, and also the taking of samples. Most police forces now have contracts with their doctors, based on the national agreement between the British Medical Association and Local Authorities, which is reviewed annually.
