A DIFFERENT SORT OF DOCTOR - THE POLICE SURGEON IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Police surgeons occupy a neglected and potentially influential role in the criminal justice system, falling between medical and legal functi ons. This article considers the implications of this role which operat es at the interface of two major areas of social policy concern. Drawi ng evidence from a unique survey of police surgeons in England and Wal es, it considers specifically, the professional background of police s urgeons, the administration and management of the police surgeon servi ce, surgeons' attitudes to aspects of their professional practice and the impact of this role on civil liberties. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the possibilities for the reform of the police su rgeon service.