Welcome to Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine

Constitution

(1) NAME & LOCATION OF ASSOCIATION

The name of the Association shall be "The Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine" The Registered office i.e. the headquarters of the Association shall be located in the dwelling city of General Secretary of Academy. However, to ensure smooth administration -“ Media Room, Department of Forensic Medicine( New Complex), Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa-403202” shall be regional office with one the local faculty who is member of IAFM as “ Office coordinator” and such Office Coordinator may be appointed/ selected by governing Council and approved by General Body as Co Opted member to Executive Council. [Resolved by Annual General Body Meeting of, 35nd Annual conference of IAFM held at Gauhati on 01-02-2014 vide Item No.7]

(2) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION

To encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and promote the progress of Forensic Medicine.
To highlight the importance and raise the standard of medico legal work in relation to administration of justice.
To co-operate with other scientific associations.
To encourage and publish important research in all branches of Forensic Medicine.
To represent internationally the research work carried out in Forensic Medicine in India.
To advise the Central Government/State/Union Territory Administration and other Governmental bodies on matters pertaining to Forensic Medicine.
To organize and arrange meetings and symposia on Forensic Medicine and allied subjects.
To serve and administer funds, grants, endowments for the furtherance of research in Forensic Medicine.
To generally do all such things as may widen, improve and develop the education and knowledge of those actively concerned in the pursuit of the Forensic medicine. [AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

(3) The Academy shall not make any project nor award bonus to any of its members but may pay remuneration to members of its permanent staff. In addition, it may award prizes or research grants to Individuals and organizations for the advancement of Forensic Medicine in a manner that the council may deem fit and proper.

[AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

Article 1

The name of its society shall be the "Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine".

Article 2

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The aims and objects of this Academy shall be to encourage, to study, to improve the practice, elevate the standard and advance the cause of Forensic Medicine, to plan ,organize and administer meetings for the stimulation and advancement of Forensic Medicine and allied subjects.

Article 3

ELIGIBILITY AND MEMBERSHIP

Academy membership as hereafter shall be open only to those persons:

Who are actively engaged in the field of Forensic Medicine and who have made significant contribution to the literature of Forensic Medicine: or
Who have advanced the cause of Forensic Medicine in some other significant manner; or
Who pursue a career which has a direct or indirect bearing on the aims and objects of the Academy (see chapter –IV for the eligibility of membership)

Article 4

MEETINGS – QUORUM

An annual general meeting shall be held at a time and place selected by the Council, constituted as provided in the Bye-laws. At the Annual General Meetings, Twenty-five members shall constitute a quorum. There shall be a scientific program, an election of office bearers and the transaction of such business as may be considered by the Council. General Meeting may also be called at any time at the discretion of the council or by one third of the members on rolls by a requisition addressed to the Secretary. [AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

Article 5

OFFICERS

The Executive Officers of this Academy shall consist of a President, Five Vice-presidents, one General Secretary, Five joint Secretaries( zone wise), one Treasurer, one Editor and one Joint Editor and thirteen members including immediate past president, immediate past General Secretary and office coordinator[ IAFM member from Goa]. These officers shall be elected [ Resolved by Annual General Body Meeting of, 35nd Annual conference of IAFM held at Gauhati on 01-02-2014 vide Item No.7]at the Annual General Meeting and hold the office for three years or untill their successors shall have been elected and assumed office.

[Vide item No.-9 resolved at Annual General Body Meeting of, 32nd Annual conference of IAFM held on 28th January 2011, 4.30 PM onwards at Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.]

Disqualification criteria:[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]

Conviction by competent court in India; not subject to further appeal.
Conviction by Medical Council of India not subject to further appeal.
“Open” Communications- derogatory to repute of IAFM / its’ members/ office bearers at any platform other IAFM forum.
Failure to discharge duty as described in corresponding sections namely: section VI, VII, VIII and IX in Chapter II.

A working “ Disciplinary committee” [ composing of President, General Secretary, Editor and two IAFM members appointed by Governing council] shall look into the matter, shall adopt and practice doctrines of natural justice and all the laws of land. Such working “ Disciplinary committee” shall submit the report to governing council and upon recommending the decision of disqualification shall be approved at annual general meeting.

If annual general meeting approves action against such office bearer, upon communication, returning officer shall reject nomination for election in future governing body for once.

Article 6

AMENDMENTS

The rules remain inviolate for a period of three years after adoption. A subsequent amendment can be made if approved by 2/3 majority of full Council and ratified by the general body by a similar majority. Copies of each proposed amendment shall have been circulated (under certificate of posting or on official website of association or by email ) :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]to all voting members at least four weeks in advance of the Annual General Meeting at which the final decision is to be taken. An amendment once affected shall be approved by competent authority at office where association is registered :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad] and will again remain inviolated for a period of three years.

BYE LAWS Chapter-1 Membership of the Academy

SECTION 1

There shall be three classes of membership in the Academy.

Members

Ordinary Members
Life Members
Honorary Fellows
Corresponding Members

[AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

Any qualified Medical person who is engaged actively in the field of Forensic Medicine or such other person as defined under Article III shall be eligible for membership of the academy subject to such entrance fee subscription as may be stipulated by the Governing Council form time to time. medico-legal work and has interest in the objectives and purposes of the Academy is eligible to be a member of the Academy.[AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

Fellows
Honorary Fellows

[AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

SECTION 2

As hereinafter used the term member shall refer to any one in the foregoing classification of membership. All the members with the exception of honorary fellows shall have the voting rights

SECTION 3

All applications in prescribed forms shall be submitted to the Secretary who will place them before the next meeting of the Council which will take a decision regarding admission to membership.

SECTION 4

The Council will consider all the requests and applications received and elect fellows and members.

Chapter-2 Administration and Management

SECTION 5

The administration, direction and management of the affairs of the Academy shall be entrusted to a Council composed of the office bearers of the Academy, namely president, immediate past president, three vice presidents, and General Secretary, two Joint Secretaries, one Treasurer, one editor, one joint editor and eleven members.
The officers elected at the Annual General Meeting shall hold office for three years or until their successors shall have been elected and assumed office. The composition of executive members shall have proper zonal representation for better co-ordination i.e. 2 from each zone .To ensure equal representation from all zones at all levels the executive members comprising 10 in number at present shall be subdivided into each zone (just as vice president and joint secretary) having two members. In case there is no representation from a particular zone at the time of election, President and Secretary are authorized to fill the vacant post from concerned zone only by co-opting suitable members in the best interest of academy. [ Vide item No.-9 resolved at Annual General Body Meeting of, 32nd Annual conference of IAFM held on 28th January 2011, 4.30 PM onwards at Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.]
Office bearers and members of the Council shall be elected from amongst the members of the Academy.
The quorum of the Council meeting shall consist of five members and any resolution of the Council shall not be passed unless motion shall have four assenting votes.
If the President is absent at the time of the meeting, the powers and duties shall be exercised and performed by one of the Vice presidents.
If the Office of the General Secretary becomes vacant between two meetings of the Council, the President shall designate one of the Joint Secretaries or a member of Council to exercise the powers and perform the duties of General Secretary until the next meeting of the Council.
If the General Secretary is absent from any meeting of the Academy or of the Council, the Chairman of the meeting may designate one of the Joint Secretaries or a member of the Council to perform the duties of the General Secretary at that meeting.

SECTION 6 The power and duties of the Council shall be as follows:

To manage the affairs of the Academy and for each purpose to make such regulations as may appear to them conducive to the good administration of the academy and the attainment of the objectives of its foundation provided always that such regulations are not inconsistent with any thing contained in these rules, that they be reported to with any thing contained in these rules, that they be reported to the next Annual General Meeting for the information of the members and that they be subject to re-decision, or alteration by the General meeting.
To consider in the first instance, all communications addressed to the Academy, to decide which of such communications shall be submitted to the General Meeting, and to determine the order and manner of such submission.
To superintend and direct all the publications of the Academy.
To appoint as many salaried Officers, clerks and servants as they may deem necessary, to define their duties, allowances, salaries, gratitude and privileges and to suspend or dismiss them, or dispense with their services as the occasion may require and to report all such actions to the next General Meeting.
To prepare and submit to the Annual General Meeting a report on the general concerns of the Academy, such reports shall set forth the income and expenditure of the Financial year of the Academy the balance in hand, the debts and assets, the estimated income and expenditure of the Financial year of the Academy, the balance in hand the debts and assets, the estimated income and expenditure of succeeding year and general progress of the Academy. The report shall also include an abstract of the proceedings of the Council during the year.
The Council shall be empowered, subject to sanction of an ordinary general meeting, to take legal proceedings under the act for the recovery of any sums due from a member on account of subscription, books, manuscripts or any other property of the Academy, in case any member after receiving due notice of his liabilities, shall refuse or fail to discharge them.
To arrange for the establishment of reciprocal relations between the Academy and other learned bodies in India and Abroad.
To constitute and control such administrative and specialist committees as may be required to facilitate the work of the Academy.

SECTION 7 Duties & Powers of President

To preside over all meetings of the Academy and of the Council and to regulate the proceedings of such meetings.
To ensure due effect being given to the rules of the Academy and to the Regulations made by the Council under section VI(a) (c) To be ex- officio-member of all committees appointed by the Council.
In case of emergency to take any such action as he deems fit in the light of circumstances and approval of Executive Council at its next meeting.

SECTION 8 Duties of General Secretary

To conduct correspondence of the Academy and to sign letters and papers emanating from the Academy.
To attend the Meetings of the Academy and of the Council, to keep a record of the proceedings of such meetings during their progress, and at that commencement of every such meeting to read out the minutes of the previous meeting unless they are taken as read with the consent of the Chairman.
To prepare for submission to the Annual General Meetings a list of members, corrected to the close of previous years.
To enter or cause to be entered in the minute’s book all the proceedings of the Academy and of the Council before the following meetings and to see that all letters and papers, and documents of every kind connected with the business of the Academy are properly filed and preserved.
To take charge as “ Representative Assesse” with reference to PAN card of IAFM and relieve immediate past General Secretary from the same. :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]
To take charge of official website of IAFM ( with FTP passwords and any other necessary item) and relieve immediate past General Secretary from the same. :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]
To be ex-officio-member of all the committees appointed by the Council.

SECTION 9 Duties of the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive and hold for the use of the Academy all money paid to the Academy and shall keep exact accounts of such receipts and payments. Disbursements exceeding Rupees 100 shall be made only by order of the Council under signatures of the Chairman of the meeting at which the order was passed.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of Annual statement of accounts and of the budget and for the presentation thereof to the Council.
To comply with guidelines of Income Tax Department ie. Filing Income Tax Return and other submissions. :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]
To maintain all the funds / assets of IAFM to Permanent account of IAFM at Goa. Under no circumstances on completion of tenure he shall hold any asset of IAFM as authorized signatory. :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]
To prepare budget for each financial year for Treasurer, General Secretary and Editor and transfer the funds to concerned office bearer after sanction form the General Body. :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]
He shall be the ex-officio members of all the committees constituted by the Council.

SECTION 10 Meeting of the Academy

Annual General Meeting Scientific Program

Zonal rotation policy shall be adopted for hosting Annual national conference of IAFM. IAFM member intending to host subsequent conference shall submit an undertaking to General Body through General Secretary for its approval. Organizing Secretary shall strictly adhere to guidelines while hosting the conference.

Extraordinary General Meeting
Zonal Meeting
Other Scientific Meetings.
To layout the procedure for annual election:

Appointment of returning officer
Conduct of elections etc. [AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]
Nomination etc

An election officer will be appointed one day before on first day of conference by executive council. Till then General Secretary will act as nodal officer.
Nomination form will be made available by general secretary/ returning in advance and filing of nomination will be closed at 5PM on first day of conference. Withdrawal of nomination will be allowed up to 12 noon on second day. The final list of the candidate will be declared at 3 PM by election officer and Election will be held. Election forms, protocol at inaugural and valedictory function will be sent to Organizing secretary. Members are again informed that eligibility for contesting Election is as follows.

Executive post -3 years life membership before date of election

Executive Members -2 years before date of election

For Voting –life member more than one year

[Meeting of the General Body Meeting of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine held at SMS Medical College, Jaipur on 7-1-2001]

ELIGIBILITY FOR ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS/ MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

To be eligible to contest for the post of office bearer, an individual must be a member of the Academy for a minimum period of 3 years and must have attended at least two Annual General Meetings/Conferences. To be elected to the Council as a member, an individual should have been a member of the Academy for at least two years.

Eligibility to vote: An individual must be a member of the Academy for a minimum period of one year to be eligible to vote. [AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

SECTION 11

All Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall assume office immediately thereafter.

SECTION 12

Scientific meetings, social functions and the business session of the Academy shall be open to all the members.

Chapter-3 Funds and Expenses

SECTION 13

All the accounts and assets shall be maintained at Goa only( Jointly with office coordinator- EOS type). Treasurer shall submit “budget” at annual general meeting and get it approved. Office coordinator shall transfer funds to treasurer only after the approval referred above. Transfer of funds to general Secretary, Editor and Treasurer shall be in compliance with provisions of Section IX – Chapter –II of bye laws. :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]

Funds for meetings, the expenses of the Academy and its Zonal branches shall be raised by Annual subscriptions and donations and grants.

SECTION 14

The subscription of a member falls due on the First of January every year. If any member fails to pay the subscription by 31st, December of the succeeding year, the Council may at its discretion remove his name from the list of members. The Council at its discretion may readmit the defaulting members without payment of admission fee.

SECTION 15

The Financial year of this Academy shall be from January to December inclusive.

SECTION 16

The expenses for carrying the function of the Zonal branches for holding scientific meetings, symposia etc. shall by the additional Zonal collection on behalf of the Council after the expressed consent of the General Secretary of the Council.

Chapter-4 Eligibility of Membership, Rate of annual subscription, Admission fee

SECTION 17

The membership of the Academy is open to:

Medical Staff of the Forensic Medicine Departments of all undergraduates and postgraduate Medical Institute.
All Medical Officers engaged in Medico Legal Work.
Forensic Psychiatrists.
Forensic Serologists.
Members of Medical Profession interested in any branch of Forensic Medicine, although not directly engaged in Medico Legal practice.

Disqualification criteria:

Conviction by competent court in India; not subject to further appeal.
Conviction by Medical Council of India not subject to further appeal.
“Open” Communications- derogatory to repute of IAFM / its’ members/ office bearers at any platform other IAFM forum.

A working “ Disciplinary committee” [ composing of President, General Secretary, Editor and two IAFM members appointed by Governing council] shall look into the matter and submit the report to governing council and upon recommending the decision of disqualification shall be approved at annual general meeting. Such committee shall adopt and practice doctrines of natural justice and all the laws of land. :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad]

SECTION 18

The minimum academic qualifications required for members shall be a degree in Medicine. The candidate should not be below 21 years of age. The Council may however elect in exceptional cases persons not coming under any of the above categories.

SECTION 19

The annual subscription shall be Rupees 500(Rupees Five hundred only) :[ Resolved at Extra Ordinary AGM on 10th Oct 2015, at Goa Medical College, Goa and approved at Annual General Body Meeting at 9th January 2016 at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad] for all categories of member with the exception of Honorary Fellows.(with effect from 3-2-1989).

Any member could become a life member and be exempted from payment of all future subscriptions by the payment of lump sum of Rupees 3,000 (Rupees one thousand only) (with effect from 1-1-1990). Life Membership fee stands modified to Rs 3000/- (Rupees one thousand only) [ item no 8 of General Body Meeting of IAFM Held in Bhopal on 07.02.2010]

SECTION 20

If upon dissolution of the Association there shall remain, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any proper whatsoever, the same shall not be paid or the distributed amongst the members of the Association or any of them, but shall be given to some other Society having similar aim and objects to be determined by the votes of not less than 3/5th of the members present personally or in default thereof, by such court as aforesaid.

SECTION 21

All provisions of the “Registration of Societies Act” Govt. of Goa will apply to this Academy also.

SECTION 22

Loan shall be interest free, and when a loan is repaid, the repayment shall be treated as income of the Society in the year of its receipt and shall be applied fully to the objects of the Society. The purpose of loan is to be clearly defined. [AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IN 1992]

SECTION 23

The Academy will accept and receive in any manner whatsoever cash, immovable or movable properly either unconditionally or subject to any special trust created by any particular donor in furtherance of any one or more of the objects of the Society, provided the donations under the clause shall not in any way be but of the purview of the Section 80(6) of income tax Act.1961.