Medico-legal cases (MLCs) for house officers
Trauma, burns, poisoning, assault, firearm injuries and deaths in suspicious circumstances are MLCs. Treat first, document precisely, and let the MLC officer handle the legal process.
On this page
What counts as an MLC
- Road traffic accidents.
- Assault, firearm and stab injuries.
- Burns (especially in women and suspicious patterns).
- Poisoning, including suspected suicide attempts.
- Sexual assault.
- Unexplained injuries in children or the elderly.
- Brought-dead patients and deaths in suspicious circumstances.
Treat first
The legal process never takes priority over resuscitation. Stabilise, treat and admit as needed, then inform the MLC officer.
Documentation
- Time of arrival and who brought the patient.
- History in the patient's own words where possible.
- Injuries described precisely: type (abrasion, laceration, bruise, incised wound, firearm entry or exit), size in cm, site from fixed landmarks, direction and colour.
- Investigations and treatment given.
- Your name, signature and time.
Never alter notes after the fact. Add a dated, timed addendum if needed.
Samples and evidence
- Preserve clothing and samples (gastric lavage in poisoning, blood and urine) labelled and sealed as your hospital's MLC protocol says.
- Hand them over with documentation of the chain of custody.
Common mistakes
- Writing opinions about how an injury happened instead of describing it.
- Using vague words like "multiple injuries".
- Discharging an MLC patient without informing the MLC officer.
- Giving statements to police or families without your senior.
Frequently asked questions
Should treatment wait until the police arrive in an MLC?
No. Treat first. The MLC process runs alongside emergency care.
Can a house officer issue an MLC report?
Usually the designated MLC officer issues reports; house officers document findings carefully in the notes.