Forensic epidemiology, forensic pathology, ethics and human rights

This chapter begins with a brief exploration of the historical relationship between investigation of death, death records, forensic pathology and public health. It demonstrates, through the use of case studies that emerge out of the work of a forensic institution in Australia, how modern forensic medicine has integrated an epidemiological function as a fundamental aspect of its contribution to both justice and public health. The role of forensic pathology and related disciplines in the resolution of mass deaths in war, internal conflict and disaster is examined. The importance of this work at both the level of the individual and to protecting public health is considered, as are the related ethical and human rights concerns.