Mant A K
University of London, England.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1987 Dec;8(4):354-61.
The British medicolegal system, which today is largely based on the Coroner's Act of 1887, developed slowly, beginning with the election of county coroners in the 12th century. The duties of the medieval coroner included the collection of revenues due to the Crown, recordkeeping, presiding over inquests, and overseeing juries in cases of sudden or unnatural death. However, by the 14th century, the influence of the coroner had diminished and the office fell into disrepute. The practice of forensic medicine in the United Kingdom can be dated from the 17th century, when the first autopsy was recorded. However, the first original textbook on this subject did not appear in Britain until the early 19th century. Around the same time, due to a wave of homicidal poisonings, toxicology emerged as an important discipline. A number of historical cases of homicidal poisoning, as well as several cases of homicide by external wounding, are discussed herein. In the present day, with the passage of various laws, the British coroner deals only with sudden and unnatural death and treasure trove.
英国的法医学体系如今很大程度上基于1887年的《验尸官法案》，它发展缓慢，始于12世纪郡验尸官的选举。中世纪验尸官的职责包括收取应归王室的税收、记录保存、主持审讯以及在突然或非自然死亡案件中监督陪审团。然而，到了14世纪，验尸官的影响力减弱，该职位声名狼藉。英国法医学的实践可追溯到17世纪，当时记录了第一例尸体解剖。然而，关于这一主题的第一本原创教科书直到19世纪初才在英国出现。大约在同一时间，由于一波杀人投毒事件，毒理学成为一门重要学科。本文讨论了一些杀人投毒的历史案例以及几起外伤杀人案件。在当今，随着各种法律的通过，英国验尸官只处理突然和非自然死亡以及无主财宝案件。
