DOI: 10.25136/1339-3057.2021.3.34122

Abstract: The subject of this research is the legal norms that regulate the procedure of determining priority of patients (triage) in the Russian Federation, as well as the grounds for bringing to criminal responsibility of the representatives of medical profession for causing death during this process. The object of this research is the social relations arising in terms of prioritizing  treatment  of patients under the circumstances of severe shortage of medical resources, namely in case of mass infection. Analysis is conducted on the established by Chapter 8 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation conditions that exclude criminal nature of the act. The conclusion is made that on their inapplicability in similar circumstances. The author examines the nature of the process of medical sorting  – allocation of patients according to certain characteristics and order of their treatment, regulatory norms, as well as analyzes  the trends in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the fact that the Russian criminal law science does not feature special research dedicated to triage, the article provides a brief overview of the works of foreign legal scholars along with similar positions of national scholars, as well as determines the circumstances that affect the criminal nature of patient's death that takes place in the conditions of severe shortage of resources. The novelty lies in the cross-sectional study of the norms of Russian criminal law and the corresponding norms of medical law, based on which the author develops solution to the problem that did not previously receive due coverage in the Russian science. The author answers the question regarding criminal responsibility for the death of one of the two patients when it is not feasible to provide simultaneous medical treatment to both. It also The article also describes potential amendments to the sectoral medical legislation for the purpose of consolidation of legal status of medical professionals, protect their rights from unsubstantiated criminal prosecution,  protect rights of the patients, and maintain ethical well-being of medical profession.

DOI: 10.25136/1339-3057.2021.2.34426

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.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-7136.2020.10.34288

Abstract: The subject of this research is the Russian case law of conducting legal proceedings against the representatives of medical sphere based on the constituent elements of crime established by the Part 2 of the Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – infliction of death by negligence due to improper discharge of professional duties. The subject of this research also includes legal norms that regulate the procedure of forensic medical examination in the Russian Federation, norms of medical legislation, as well as corresponding provisions of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The object of this research is the social relations emerging in the event of causing death due to improper provision of medical care, conduct of forensic medical examination, as well as consideration of such cases by the courts. The scientific novelty consists in comprehensive approach towards its implementation that would include the analysis of relevant practice of Russian courts on iatrogenic crimes. As a result of this research, the author outlines the key problems faced by the Russian courts in assessment of causal link in iatrogenic crimes, first and foremost committed by medical negligence. The detailed analysis of legal norms that regulate the procedure forensic medical examination allowed determining the possible reasons for discrepancies in forensic practice, which, in turn, lead to discrepancies in judicial practice. Based on the historical method of interpretation, the author detected the presence and origins of fundamental contradictions in the relevant legislation. The comparative-analytical method applied to the Russian criminal and forensic legislation allowed identifying the key issued that currently impede the efficient and just consideration of iatrogenic cases; the solution approach depending on priorities of the government in criminal law policy is proposed.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-7136.2020.9.34067

Abstract: The subject of this research is the legal norms that regulate the procedure of determining priority of patients (triage) in the Russian Federation, as well as the grounds for bringing to criminal responsibility of the representatives of medical profession for causing death during this process. The object of this research is the social relations arising in terms of prioritizing  treatment  of patients under the circumstances of severe shortage of medical resources, namely in case of mass infection. Analysis is conducted on the established by Chapter 8 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation conditions that exclude criminal nature of the act. The conclusion is made that on their inapplicability in similar circumstances. The author examines the nature of the process of medical sorting  – allocation of patients according to certain characteristics and order of their treatment, regulatory norms, as well as analyzes  the trends in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the fact that the Russian criminal law science does not feature special research dedicated to triage, the article provides a brief overview of the works of foreign legal scholars along with similar positions of national scholars, as well as determines the circumstances that affect the criminal nature of patient's death that takes place in the conditions of severe shortage of resources. The novelty lies in the cross-sectional study of the norms of Russian criminal law and the corresponding norms of medical law, based on which the author develops solution to the problem that did not previously receive due coverage in the Russian science. The author answers the question regarding criminal responsibility for the death of one of the two patients when it is not feasible to provide simultaneous medical treatment to both. It also The article also describes potential amendments to the sectoral medical legislation for the purpose of consolidation of legal status of medical professionals, protect their rights from unsubstantiated criminal prosecution,  protect rights of the patients, and maintain ethical well-being of medical profession.