The four common ethical principles that apply to forensic investigations are confidentiality, respect, Justice, Nonmaleficence and Beneficence.
In this section, the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence are discussed together.Beneficence involves balancing the benefits of treatment against the risks and costs involved, whereas non-maleficence means avoiding the cause of harm.The principle of non-maleficence suggests that the harm should not be disproportionate to the benefit of the treatment.In certain circumstances, failing to respect a person's autonomy may mean respecting the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence.They should respect their views about a particular treatment.It may be necessary to provide treatment that is not desired in order to prevent the development of a more serious health problem.The treatment might be unpleasant, uncomfortable or even painful, but it might involve less harm to the patient than if they didn't have it.
Medical staff are expected to act in the best interests of the patient when there is no legal competence to make a decision.They may take into account the principles of non-maleficence.If the patient lacking capacity had made an advance directive, it would be helpful for medical staff.When there is a conflict between what a person wants in an advance directive and what the doctor thinks is in their best interests, there may be problems.
The doctor-patient relationship is the basis of the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence in Western medicine.Patients play a more active role in making decisions about their own treatment as a result of a change in the doctor-patient relationship.This isn't the same in non-Western medicine according to Kao.She says that in Islamic medical ethics, a greater emphasis is placed on beneficence than on autonomy at the time of death.The existence of the four principles in the Islamic tradition is supported by Aksoy and Tenik.Evidence of all four principles was found in one form or another, with a clear emphasis on the principle of beneficence.In China, where medical ethics were influenced by Confucianism, a physician must be loving in order to treat the sick and heal the injured.