FSM 2: The Ethics of Medical Practice

Clinical Deep Dives · Mar 4, 2026 · 54m

Forensic medicine sits on a fault line.

In ordinary clinical work, the doctor’s primary allegiance is to the patient - beneficence, non-maleficence, confidentiality, respect for autonomy. In forensic practice, the practitioner may be instructed by police, courts, insurers, or regulatory bodies. The ethical terrain shifts. The central question becomes: Who is the client, and what is my duty?

This episode explores the ethical foundations that underpin forensic and legal medicine. It examines:

* The difference between therapeutic and forensic roles.

* The importance of clarity about purpose at…