Le médecin expert dans l'expertise médicale : règles éthiques et déontologiques

Abstract

The practice of forensic expertise requires knowledge of a number of legal, ethical and deontological principles. The expert's mission is clearly defined by the judge who appoints him. Thus, he is called upon to carry out his mission with complete impartiality while respecting an arsenal of procedural principles and ethical rules, to answer the questions asked.

The expert must be objective, free and impartial. He must have forensic competence, sound reasoning and, if necessary, seek specialist advice.

It is imperative that the medical expert respects the principles of the procedure: personal execution of the mission within the allotted time and respect for the adversarial principle.

Finally, the expert, like any practitioner, is bound by professional secrecy and must not reveal any information that is not included in his mission. Thus, secrecy can be opposed to the expert by his colleagues and the latter must oppose secrecy to all persons who are not the intended recipients of his report.