Forensic medicine, its tasks and duties in medical malpractice and medico-legal litigation.

Forensic medicine assists in clarification of cases of violent death, assessment of bodily damage and indemnity, especially in cases of work injuries, it also deals with deaths that occur within two hours of a doctor's intervention. As "legal medicine", forensic medicine is taught both to medical students and to students of the juridical faculties. In cases of medical malpractice, forensic pathologists give opinions in courts. Cases of alleged malpractice are handled differently in different countries. Establishment of expert committees in the Czech Republic represents a reasonable solution to this problem. Activities of the committees are described.