THE INSTITUTES DEAL WITH FORENSIC PATHOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY, SEROLOGY, CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR SEX OFFENSES, ALCOHOL LEVELS IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, AND DISABILITY CLAIMS. PURE CRIMINALISTICS ARE HANDLED BY A NETWORK OF LABORATORIES DIRECTED BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINALISTICS. LEGAL MEDICINE IS A COMPULSORY TOPIC FOR UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS AND A VARIETY OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ARE OFFERED. THERE ARE TWO GRADES OF POSTGRADUATE SPECIALIZATION IN FORENSIC MEDICINE, AND THESE GRADES ARE RECOGNIZED BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH. ANY MEDICAL PRACTITIONER IN POLAND MAY DECIDE IF HE WILL CERTIFY A DEATH OR REPORT IT TO THE PROSECUTOR. THE PROSECUTOR WILL REQUEST THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE TO EXAMINE THE DEATH IF HE FEELS IT NECESSARY. HOWEVER, THE INSTITUTE, TOGETHER WITH THE PROSECUTOR, WILL DECIDE UPON THE DEGREE OF EXAMINATION WHICH IS NECESSARY. IN GENERAL, A FULL AUTOPSY IS PERFORMED IN ALL HOMICIDE CASES, ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF ACCIDENT CASES, 50 PERCENT OF SUICIDES, ABOUT HALF OF SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED DEATHS (ESPECIALLY IN PERSONS UNDER AGE 50), AND ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATHS. FULL AUTOPSIES ARE ALSO CONDUCTED FOR ALL DEATHS IN PRISONS AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS AND, VERY FREQUENTLY, FOR DEATHS FOLLOWING SURGICAL OPERATIONS. THE AUTOPSY RATE IS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE IN CITIES BUT LOW IN RURAL AREAS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FORENSIC STAFF. SPECIALISTS FEEL THE SERVICES NEED TO BE EXTENDED INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE. (GLR)