Medico Legal at Israel
Israel's medico-legal system integrates medical expertise with legal processes to ensure justice and public health. A key institution in this framework is the L. Greenberg National Institute of Forensic Medicine, commonly known as the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute. Established in 1954, it is the sole facility in Israel authorized to conduct autopsies in cases of unnatural death, including rape, homicide, suicide, and suspicious deaths. The institute also plays a crucial role in identifying victims of terror attacks. Operated under the Ministry of Health, the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute performs approximately 2,000 autopsies annually, requiring either the family's consent or a court order.
In the legal domain, the Public Defense department, established in 1996 under the Public Defense Act of 1995, provides legal representation to criminal suspects and defendants unable to afford private counsel. It also represents individuals involuntarily committed to mental institutions. Operating under the Ministry of Justice, the Public Defense employs around 100 full-time lawyers and collaborates with approximately 900 external lawyers.
Additionally, organizations like Physicians for Human Rights–Israel contribute to the medico-legal landscape by offering medical care to underserved populations, including immigrants and refugees without civil status. Their "Open Clinic" in Jaffa provides primary and specialized medical services, hospital referrals, and follow-up care, serving over 6,000 patients annually. Established in 1998, the clinic operates with a team of volunteer medical professionals and staff.
These institutions collectively uphold the integration of medical and legal practices in Israel, ensuring that medico-legal cases are handled with expertise and adherence to legal standards.
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