Medico Legal at Ecuador
Ecuador's medico-legal system has evolved significantly, integrating forensic medicine, legal medicine, and forensic sciences within its judicial framework.
🏛️ Institutional Framework
**National Service of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (SMLC)** The SMLC, under the Ecuadorian National Police, provides technical and scientific investigation services for judicial inquiries across the country. It operates forensic laboratories in major cities like Quito and Guayaquil, equipped with advanced technology such as the Regula 4308 dual-video spectral comparators for document analysis
Forensic Genetics. Since the first DNA test in 1997, Ecuador has conducted over 5,000 paternity tests and more than 200 forensic studies in criminal cases. These services are provided by both official and unofficial laboratories, with DNA analysis now being a routine method in forensic investigations
⚖️ Legal Framework
The Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP), enacted in 2014, outlines the roles of the National Police's specialized agencies, including legal medicine and forensic sciences, These agencies are responsible for-
-Notifying the prosecutor of any news about the committing of a crime of public exercise of criminal action -Receiving complaints on crimes of public exercise of criminal action and sending them immediately to the Prosecutor's Office for processing, Carrying out the first investigative proceedings, such as interviews, surveillance, management of sources, and others, which will be recorded by tape or video recording. Apprehending persons caught in flagrante delicto, communicating their rights, preparing the corresponding part, and immediately bringing the apprehended person before the competent judicial body. Taking appropriate and timely measures to prevent the commission or consummation of an offense that comes to their attention. Monitoring, guarding, protecting, and preserving the place where the offense is allegedly committed and collecting the results, tracks, signs, weapons, objects, instruments, and other vestiges. Proceeding to the removal and identification of the body
🧠 Forensic Specializations
Ecuador's medico-legal system encompasses various specialties:
Forensic Pathology Conducting autopsies and determining causes of death.
Forensic Genetics DNA analysis for criminal, paternity, and family reunion case.
Forensic Document Examination Analysing documents to verify authenticity.
Clinical Forensic Medicine Evaluating injuries and medical conditions related to legal case.
🎓 Education and Training
The Central University of Ecuador has been instrumental in the development of forensic medicine in the county. It established the first postgraduate program in forensic medicine in the 20th century, addressing the need for specialized professionals in this field
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