The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Forensic Medicine (Cert FM) is a specialist qualification designed for healthcare professionals and practitioners who are seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in the field of forensic medicine. Unlike general medical qualifications, this programme is not intended for fresh candidates but is aimed at experienced professionals who wish to enhance their career prospects, broaden their expertise, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Forensic medicine plays a vital role in bridging healthcare and the justice system, providing essential expertise in areas such as post-mortem examinations, medico-legal investigations, injury assessment, and the evaluation of medical evidence in legal contexts. This course equips learners with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of forensic medicine, enabling them to contribute effectively to clinical, legal, and investigative processes.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Forensic Medicine must demonstrate a strong commitment to quality and excellence. They are required to have competent and qualified teaching staff with relevant industry experience, alongside the provision of high-quality learning resources and facilities that ensure an engaging and professional learning environment. These measures are essential to support learner success and uphold the standards of this specialised qualification.
By completing this certificate, learners gain a competitive advantage in their professional field, deepening their expertise in medico-legal practice and opening pathways for progression into advanced roles within healthcare, forensic services, and related sectors.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Forensic Medicine (Cert FM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
24
GLH
120
Qualification #
LICQ2200847
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Forensic Medicine (Cert FM) , applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200847-1 |
Principles of Forensic Medicine |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200847-2 |
Medico-Legal Investigations and Procedures |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200847-3 |
Forensic Pathology and Post-Mortem Examination |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200847-4 |
Injury Assessment and Interpretation |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200847-5 |
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Forensic Practice |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200847-6 |
Forensic Evidence, Reporting, and Courtroom Skills |
4 |
20 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles of Forensic Medicine
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the scope, purpose, and applications of forensic medicine.
- Explain the relationship between healthcare practice and the legal system.
- Recognise the importance of accurate documentation and professional conduct in forensic cases.
- Apply fundamental principles of forensic medicine to real-world scenarios.
Unit 2: Medico-Legal Investigations and Procedures
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the key stages of medico-legal investigations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of evidence collection, preservation, and chain of custody.
- Apply standard medico-legal protocols to ensure accuracy and reliability in investigations.
- Evaluate the role of medical professionals in assisting legal processes.
Unit 3: Forensic Pathology and Post-Mortem Examination
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the procedures and techniques used in forensic pathology.
- Describe the stages and purposes of post-mortem examinations.
- Interpret post-mortem findings to identify cause and manner of death.
- Apply safe and ethical practices in conducting or assisting with autopsies.
Unit 4: Injury Assessment and Interpretation
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognise and classify different types of injuries and wounds.
- Accurately document injuries for medico-legal purposes.
- Correlate injury patterns with possible causes and mechanisms.
- Apply forensic knowledge to distinguish between accidental, self-inflicted, and inflicted injuries.
Unit 5: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Forensic Practice
Learning Outcomes:
- Analyse ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in forensic medicine.
- Understand the legal responsibilities and professional duties of healthcare professionals in forensic contexts.
- Apply safeguarding policies and patient rights in medico-legal practice.
- Demonstrate accountability and professionalism when handling sensitive forensic cases.
Unit 6: Forensic Evidence, Reporting, and Courtroom Skills
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate skills in handling, analysing, and presenting forensic evidence.
- Prepare accurate and comprehensive medico-legal reports.
- Develop effective courtroom communication and expert witness skills.
- Apply professional standards when presenting forensic findings in judicial proceedings.
The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Forensic Medicine (Cert FM) is designed for experienced professionals who wish to expand their expertise in medico-legal practice and forensic healthcare. This qualification is ideal for:
- Medical Doctors and Healthcare Practitioners seeking to specialise in forensic medicine and enhance their clinical knowledge in medico-legal contexts.
- Registered Nurses and Allied Health Professionals aiming to strengthen their skills in forensic reporting, evidence handling, and patient documentation.
- Emergency and Trauma Care Professionals who regularly deal with injury assessment, medico-legal cases, and forensic documentation.
- Forensic Pathology Assistants and Mortuary Staff wishing to deepen their understanding of post-mortem procedures and medico-legal responsibilities.
- Law Enforcement Medical Examiners involved in injury assessment, forensic investigations, and medico-legal evidence collection.
- Healthcare Managers and Supervisors responsible for overseeing medico-legal documentation and compliance with professional standards.
- Professionals Committed to CPD who want to gain a recognised qualification to support career growth and continuous professional development in forensic healthcare.
This qualification is tailored for those already working in healthcare, law enforcement, or medico-legal settings who want to gain specialist knowledge and practical skills in forensic medicine to advance their careers and contribute effectively to the justice system.
Centres intending to deliver this qualification must ensure that they meet high standards of quality and compliance to provide learners with the best possible training experience. The following requirements apply:
- Qualified and Experienced Staff: Centres must employ trainers, assessors, and internal verifiers with relevant qualifications and professional experience in forensic medicine, healthcare, and medico-legal practice.
- Access to Learning Resources: Learners should have access to high-quality and up-to-date study materials, textbooks, case studies, and digital resources to support their academic and professional development.
- Appropriate Training Facilities: Delivery must take place in a professional learning environment, such as classrooms, clinical training rooms, or simulated forensic settings that encourage interactive and practical learning.
- Assessment and Quality Assurance: Centres must have robust systems for assessment, internal verification, and record-keeping to ensure the integrity, fairness, and consistency of learner outcomes.
- Learner Support Services: Adequate academic guidance, mentoring, and pastoral support must be provided to help learners successfully complete their qualification.
- Commitment to CPD: All teaching and assessment staff must demonstrate ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to remain current in forensic medicine and healthcare practices.
- Compliance with International Standards: Centres must adhere to LICQual’s policies, procedures, and quality assurance frameworks, ensuring training delivery meets international standards for vocational and professional education.
By fulfilling these requirements, centres can deliver the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Forensic Medicine (Cert FM) to a high standard, ensuring learner success and maintaining the credibility of this specialist qualification.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
