The Institute of Forensic Medicine, originally named the Institute of Legal Medicine, began operating at the University of Debrecen in 1921 under the leadership of Ferenc Orsós, Vice-Dean of the University and full professor. Following the Second World War, in 1945, it adopted its current name. During its operation, it underwent continuous development and expansion, as a result of which its teaching and expert activities have by now attained nationwide significance. An important milestone was the establishment of the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory in 1958, which, in addition to the expert examination of poisoning cases, also provided substantial support to everyday forensic expert work. Over the decades, the professional profile continued to expand: in 2008, the Forensic Genetics Laboratory was established, assisting criminalistic and expert tasks through modern DNA examinations, and in 2009 the institution was further complemented by a forensic radiology unit.
At present, the Institute operates on Nagyerdei Campus of the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre, in three separate buildings comprising a total of six building sections. This spatial and infrastructural expansion makes it possible for the institution to carry out its educational, research, and expert duties in parallel. By now, the Institute of Forensic Medicine plays a defining role not only at the regional level but also nationwide in its field. Its activities extend to official and judicial autopsies connected to extraordinary deaths, histological and toxicological examinations, the preparation of forensic psychiatric and psychological expert opinions, genetic and radiological analyses, as well as the forensic medical examination of living persons in criminal and civil proceedings. In addition, one of its priority responsibilities is the provision of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, as well as specialist and expert training, through which the Institute also contributes to training the next generation of forensic medical professionals.
As the only facility accredited by the regional NNGYK as suitable for carrying out these tasks, the Institute has, in addition to Hajdú-Bihar County, also been performing the official duties related to extraordinary deaths in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County since 2008, and as a result the tasks associated with its activities have multiplied.
Tasks: accordingly, the scope of the Institute’s activities includes, among others:
- Toxicological and genetic examinations
- Forensic medical autopsies in cases of extraordinary death
- Performance of pathological autopsies and histological examinations
- Preparation of forensic psychiatric and psychological expert opinions
- Medical expert activity in the field of health insurance
- Provision of on-site death examinations and 24/7 expert standby service
- Forensic medical examination of living persons in criminal and civil proceedings
At present, the Institute has an expert staff covering the full spectrum of forensic medicine in the country, together with the necessary licences and competencies, and it typically carries out its examinations upon appointment by investigating authorities or courts.