Citation

Beaumont G. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2007; 14(1): 46-48.

Affiliation

guybeaum@aol.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcfm.2005.12.003

PMID

17046309

Abstract

The Police Reform Act 2002 enables blood to be lawfully taken from any driver who has been involved in a road traffic accident, who lacks the capacity to consent as a result of a medical problem or injury, and who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consent at the time is not required but must be obtained at a later date. Experience of forensic physicians suggest obtaining blood directly from a vein, as the Act requires, can sometimes be technically difficult in an intensive care setting. The case described discusses one such scenario and puts forward the reasons as to why blood from a line should be accepted as evidence.

Language: en