Causation in criminal medical malpractice: a conflict of forensics and criminal law in the Russian Federaion

Abstract

The subject of this study is the judicial practice of Russian courts on cases commeneced against medical personnel under the Part 2 of the Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – infliction of death by negligence due to improper performance of professional duties. The subject of research also includes the legal framework on the procedure for conducting forensic medical examination in the Russian Federation, medical legislation, as well as the relevant provisions of the Criminal code of the Russian Federation. The scientific novelty of this research connsists in the comprehensive approach towards its implementation, including the analysis of the current judicial practice of Russian courts on medical malpractice. As a result of this analysis, the main problems that Russian courts face when assessing the causal relationship in iatrogenic crimes, primarily committed by omission, were identified. Through a detailed analysis of the laws and bylaws governing the procedure for conducting a forensic medical examination, the author has identified possible reasons for discrepancies in forensic practice, which, in turn, lead to discrepancies in jurisprudence. Also, using the historical method of interpretation, the author revealed the existence and causes of significant contradictions in the relevant legislation. Using a comparative-analytical method applied to the Russian criminal and forensic legislation, the main problems that hinder the effective and fair consideration of iatrogenic cases at the moment are identified, and ways to solve them are proposed depending on the state's priorities in criminal policy.