Dr SELVAKUMAR
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
- Born and brought up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- My early schooling was in and around Perambur, Chennai. During my school years, I was more interested in sports than academics and actively participated in several team sports, including:
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Football
- Kabaddi
- Other team and recreational sports
This early exposure to team sports helped develop qualities such as teamwork, camaraderie, discipline, and the ability to work with people from different backgrounds.
During higher secondary school, an interest in forensic science and crime investigation, strengthened by reading crime novels and material related to criminal investigation, became the turning point that ultimately led to my career in Forensic Medicine.
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Born into a family based in Chennai.
- Father: Engineer, Indian Railways
- Mother: School Teacher, Greater Chennai Corporation
- Brother: Auditor, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board
My family provided strong encouragement throughout my education and professional career.
My wife has also been a major source of encouragement throughout my journey in Forensic Medicine. From the beginning of my career, she consistently encouraged me to remain committed to the specialty and continue in government service despite the challenges associated with the field.
Her confidence in my abilities and her continued encouragement have been an important part of my professional journey.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
- Forensic science and criminal investigation
- Crime literature and investigative subjects
- Sports
- Teaching and mentoring
- Academic discussion
- Professional development of younger forensic medicine specialists
PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
My professional journey in Forensic Medicine began with a personal fascination for crime investigation and forensic science during my higher secondary school years.
Although my early academic interests were limited and I was predominantly passionate about sports, my exposure to forensic concepts and crime literature sparked a lasting interest in criminal investigation.
After completing MBBS, I chose to pursue MD Forensic Medicine at Madras Medical College, despite the specialty being viewed by many around me as an unconventional and difficult career choice.
The early period of postgraduate training was challenging. I initially questioned whether forensic medicine was the right path for me, particularly because I had entered medicine with the conventional expectation of treating patients and curing disease. The daily experience of conducting autopsies created considerable uncertainty.
However, the encouragement of senior colleagues and particularly the inspiration and guidance of my postgraduate director, Dr. Amrit Patnaik, helped me understand the depth and breadth of Forensic Medicine.
What initially appeared to be a narrow field gradually revealed itself as a multidisciplinary specialty connecting medicine, pathology, law, criminal investigation, public health, and the justice system.
That realization transformed my professional outlook and ultimately shaped my entire career.
PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY
My career in Forensic Medicine has been guided by three fundamental principles:
- Scientific accuracy.
Forensic conclusions must be based on objective scientific findings and careful interpretation.
- Professional integrity.
A forensic medicine specialist has a responsibility not only to medicine but also to the justice system and society.
- Teaching and mentorship.
The knowledge gained through years of professional experience becomes meaningful when it is passed on to the next generation.
I have considered it a privilege to work in a specialty where every case requires careful observation, scientific reasoning, professional responsibility, and an understanding of the law.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
MBBS, MD Forensic Medicine
AWARD & RECOGNITION
- Best Doctor Award — 2018
- Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
- Received the Best Doctor Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department in recognition of professional service and contribution to the medical field.
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP — KILPAUK MEDICAL COLLEGE, CHENNAI
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai
- Served for approximately 13 years, making a significant contribution to the development of the Department of Forensic Medicine.
Major Academic Achievement
- Instrumental in establishing MD Forensic Medicine postgraduate training at Kilpauk Medical College.
- At the time, only a small number of medical colleges in Tamil Nadu offered MD-level training in Forensic Medicine. The establishment of postgraduate training at Kilpauk Medical College created an important new centre for specialist education.
Responsibilities included:
- Establishment and development of postgraduate academic training.
- Teaching and mentoring MD Forensic Medicine postgraduate students.
- Supervision of medico-legal work and autopsies.
- Academic case discussions and clinical-forensic teaching.
- Mentoring postgraduate students throughout their training.
- Encouraging an approachable and collegial learning environment.
- Supporting postgraduate students in their academic and professional development.
- Contributing to successful completion of postgraduate training by successive batches of students.
One of the most significant accomplishments of my academic career was contributing to the establishment of MD Forensic Medicine postgraduate training at Kilpauk Medical College.
The programme subsequently trained multiple batches of postgraduate students, many of whom successfully completed their specialist education.
This achievement represents an important contribution to the expansion of postgraduate forensic medicine education in Tamil Nadu.
TRAINING & ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OUTSIDE MEDICAL COLLEGES
- Police Training
Served as a faculty/resource person in teaching Forensic Medicine to police personnel at the Police Academy, with emphasis on the practical application of forensic knowledge in criminal investigation.
- Judicial Training
Taught Forensic Medicine and medico-legal subjects at the Judicial Academy, helping members of the judiciary understand forensic evidence and its interpretation in legal proceedings.
- University Teaching
Taught Forensic Medicine-related subjects to students associated with Madras University.
These teaching responsibilities provided an opportunity to bridge the disciplines of medicine, forensic science, policing, and law.
MEDICO-LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Extensive experience accumulated over several decades in government forensic medicine service, including:
- Medico-legal autopsies
- Homicidal deaths
- Suicidal deaths
- Accidental deaths
- Complex and unusual deaths
- High-profile medico-legal cases
Court-referred cases
- High Court-referred medico-legal matters
- Expert opinion
- Court testimony
Interaction with investigating officers
- Interpretation of forensic findings in the context of criminal investigation
- Medico-legal responsibilities within the Government health system
The experience gained through working alongside senior forensic specialists provided extensive understanding of both the scientific and administrative dimensions of government forensic medicine practice.
POSTGRADUATE MENTORING
A major source of professional satisfaction has been the training and mentoring of postgraduate students in Forensic Medicine.
I have regarded my postgraduate students not merely as students but as junior colleagues, encouraging them to discuss cases openly and seek guidance whenever required.
My mentoring philosophy has emphasized:
- Accessibility
- Independent thinking
- Case-based reasoning
- Scientific interpretation of forensic findings
- Professional integrity
- Proper medico-legal documentation
- Responsible court testimony
- Respect for the law and the judicial process
- Continuous learning
Many postgraduate students trained under my guidance have successfully completed their MD Forensic Medicine programmes.
MEDICAL EDUCATION & TEACHING
Teaching has remained a central part of my professional career.
Throughout government service and subsequent academic appointments, I have been actively involved in teaching:
- MBBS students
- MD Forensic Medicine postgraduate students
- Medical interns and junior doctors
- Police officers and investigating personnel
- Judicial officers and members of the legal system
My approach to teaching emphasizes practical understanding, case-based learning, medico-legal reasoning, and the application of forensic principles to real-world situations.
I have always encouraged postgraduate students to approach me freely to discuss difficult cases, academic problems, professional questions, and forensic opinions.
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL STATUS
Professor & Head
Department of Forensic Medicine
Sri Balaji Medical College, Chennai
Continuing to contribute to Forensic Medicine through teaching, postgraduate mentoring, academic leadership, medico-legal education, and professional practice.