Publicēts: 08.08.2025.

Legal Basis 

According to Paragraph 2 of the Regulation No. 776 of the Cabinet of Ministers of 7 September 2004, “Statute of the State Forensic Medical Examination Centre”, one of the Centre’s core functions is 

“…to conduct scientific research and organise post-graduate education in the field of forensic medicine.” 

A Glimpse into History 

  • 1998 – Building on the Latvian Medical Association’s newly introduced physician certification system and the European Council of Legal Medicine (ECLM) guidelines (1995), a structured post-graduate training pathway in forensic medicine was launched at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Faculty of Post-Graduate Education (later the Faculty of Continuing Education, now the Faculty of Residency Studies). 

  • 5 October 2000 – RSU’s professional post-graduate programme “Residency in Medicine” received a six-year accreditation, and the first forensic medicine resident enrolled. 

  • Today – The residency in forensic medicine lasts four years, in line with the average European standard. The first five residents completed the four-year cycle in 2021 – 2022. 

Residency Programme 

Aspect 

Key Points 

Governance 

Implemented under a bilateral cooperation agreement between RSU and Centre, plus agreements with clinical sites where residents rotate. 

Accreditation 

The updated “Medicine” programme, which includes the specialization in forensic medicine, has been re-accredited and is internationally recognized. RSU Senate approved the latest residency regulations in May 2020. 

Admission 

Each summer, RSU announces a competitive call for vacant residency places (including forensic medicine). Applicants submit documents and attend an interview. Details: https://www.rsu.lv. 

Contracts 

Residents sign study contracts with RSU and a training contract with the primary training base – the Centre. 

Curriculum Highlights 

Residents rotate through and study: 

  • Forensic Pathology 

  • Clinical Forensic Medicine 

  • Forensic Toxicology 

  • Psychiatry 

  • Forensic Biology & Genetics 

  • Traumatology & Radiology 

  • Medical Criminalistics 

  • Legal Studies, and more 

Training includes on-call scene attendance, courtroom testimony, internship duties, and teaching activities. Each resident completes a research project, presents, and defends it. Final qualification requires passing the State Examination and the Latvian Medical Association (LMA) certification exam. 

 

Qualification & Career Path 

Upon successful graduation and certification, physicians obtain: 

  1. LMA Specialist Certificate in Forensic Medicine, and 

  1. Forensic Expert Certificate issued by the Council of Forensic Experts. 

These credentials qualify the holder to practise as a certified forensic medical expert. 

Opportunities for Medical Students 

Before graduation, students may: 

  • Volunteer at the Centre, 

  • Join the RSU Student Scientific Society in forensic medicine, or 

  • Undertake course projects on forensic topics. 

All RSU medical students also complete a core module in forensic medicine. 

For further information on admission requirements and programme details, please visit RSU’s official website or contact the Centre.