The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Amrita School of Medicine in Faridabad, India and College of Traffic Management & Forensic Science – Institute of Road Traffic Education (CTM–IRTE) represents a major effort toward enhancing interdisciplinary partnerships among their respective disciplines including forensic sciences, road safety and medical-legal education.
This agreement joins the nationally as well as internationally recognized technical knowledge created through Education and the National Safety Council for the Indian automotive industry and Amrita School of Medicine’s highly developed abilities in the fields of clinical medicine, medical education and healthcare delivery systems. Additionally, this partnership will help improve education, research and continuing development of the professional ability in the areas of medical-legal and forensic science education.
Enhancing academic and practical learning experiences is the main topic of this partnership. The undergraduate students enrolled in the Forensic Science Program will receive structured access to hospital settings, medicolegal cases as well as post-mortem activities at Amrita Hospital. The hands-on experience this hands-on experience offers should help narrow the divide between theoretical education and application in real-world situations especially via forensic pathology; interpreting injury etc.; and writing medicolegal reports.
Through the MoU, joint Research Initiatives involving the following will take place: Forensic Pathology, Clinical Forensics, Toxicology, Trauma Analysis, DNA Studies, and Psychological Forensics. The ethical use of anonymous case files and publications based on joint research projects will assist in developing evidence-based medicine and advances in Forensics and Medical Science.
Another major area of collaboration will be in developing Capacity Building and Training Programs. Workshops and Training Programs along with Continuous Professional Education (CPE) opportunities will take place for Doctors, Nurses, Interns, Faculty Members, and Forensic Professionals. The Training in Medicolegal Reporting, Chain of Custody, Preserving Evidence, and Obtaining Biological Samples will further improve the Medico-Legal Profession and establish quality control.
In addition to their focus on research and academics, the partnership has placed significant importance on community and social outreach. Through joint educational campaigns, these organisations aim to educate the public about the importance of due diligence in responding to sexual assaults, domestic violence and child abuse, as well as ensuring that the public understands their medico-legal rights while restoring societal trust in the scientific, ethical and judicial systems.
The signing of the MOU was honoured by a special invitation to Ms. Sundari Nanda (Retd. IPS), whose persistent support, encouragement and mentoring have continually encouraged collaboration between institutions that are committed to serving their communities. Dr. Rohit Baluja, President of the IRTE, was acknowledged for his foresight and unflagging dedication to educating and conducting research on road safety, which has put the IRTE in the forefront of this field.
The Amrita leadership expressed sincere gratitude to Dr. T.K. Saha, Principal of Amrita Hospital, for his vision and continuous support for the development of this interdisciplinary initiative. Additionally, Amrita Hospital’s Professor and Head of the School of Medicine, Dr. S.K. Verma was recognised as a key contributor to the integration of forensic science and medicine.
The MoU represents an ongoing and deepening partnership between these respective institutions and aims in Creating a Sustainable System of Medical, Research and Professional Excellence to enhance Medico-legal services, Increase Road Safety Outcomes and Strengthen Justice System Delivery.
The MoU, also includes Resources and Activities beyond what has already been established through current agreements, therefore it is essential to analyze all aspects of how partnerships are developed, maintained and used; whether creating opportunities through; Available Resources and Activities; and how those activities will enhance the overall success of both Partners!
