Medico-Legal Case Records, 1931-1967

Creator:
Forbus, Wiley Davis
Scope and content:

Series is organized alphabetically by name with a corresponding autopsy number when present. Records include correspondence, reports, notes, reprints, photos, x-ray films, and notes among other items. The medico-legal work done in the Duke Pathology department was in collaboration with Duke's law school. These records contain evidence of Wiley D. Forbus' private medico-legal pathological work. A quote from a February 24, 1953 letter from W. D. Forbus regarding case #6969, "services I have rendered in this case are a strictly personal nature...do not involve in any way whatsoever...Duke Hospital..." this does not seem to be the norm within the series. Forbus' experiences in medico-legal work likely influenced his lobbying to change the North Carolina Coroner's system. The records relating to that legislation are found in the Organizations and Committees Series. Surgical pathological cases were relegated to the Restricted Series when necessary under HIPAA guidelines. Graphic images and content are noted on folder tabs when possible. Materials date from 1931 to 1967.

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Collection restrictions:

This collection contains materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals or IRB approval may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Duke University assumes no responsibility. Records that have been processed may be consulted with the permission of the Medical Center Archivist.
Materials in box 31 are restricted and can only be accessed with the permission of the Medical Center Archivist.

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Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.