The 4 basic ethical principles that apply to forensic activities are respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice (2024)

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The 4 basic ethical principles that apply to forensic activities are respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice (1)

Guide for AuthorsAbout this journalExplore this journalJournal of Chiropractic Medicine

J Chiropr Med. 2011 Sep; 10(3): 225–226.

Published online 2011 Aug 27. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2011.08.004

PMCID: PMC4863255

PMID: 22014915

Respect for autonomy

Respect for autonomy is a norm that obliges us to respect the decisions (self-determination) of adults who have decision-making capacity. Three conditions must exist for autonomous action by those with capacity to choose:

  • 1.

    Intentionality

  • 2.

    Understanding

  • 3.

    Absence of controlling influences that determine their action.

The following moral rules or obligations are derived from the application of the principle of respect for autonomy:

  • 1.

    Tell the truth.

  • 2.

    Respect the privacy of others.

  • 3.

    Protect confidential information.

  • 4.

    Obtain consent for interventions with patients.

Beneficence

The principle of beneficence is a moral obligation to act for the benefit of others. There are 2 aspects of beneficence:

  • 1.

    Providing benefits

  • 2.

    Balancing benefits and risks/harms.

The principle of beneficence supports the following moral rules or obligations:

  • 1.

    Protect and defend the rights of others.

  • 2.

    Prevent harm from occurring to others.

  • 3.

    Remove conditions that will cause harm.

  • 4.

    Help persons with disabilities.

  • 5.

    Rescue persons in danger.

Nonmaleficence

The principle of nonmaleficence holds that there is an obligation not to inflict harm on others. It is closely associated with the maxim primum non nocere (first do no harm). The principle of nonmaleficence supports the following rules:

  • 1.

    Do not kill.

  • 2.

    Do not cause pain or suffering.

  • 3.

    Do not incapacitate.

  • 4.

    Do not cause offense.

Justice

The principle of justice obliges us to equitably distribute benefits, risks, costs, and resources. The following arguments (rules) are supported by the principle of justice:

  • 1.

    To each person an equal share

  • 2.

    To each person according to need

  • 3.

    To each person according to effort

  • 4.

    To each person according to contribution

  • 5.

    To each person according to merit.

Professional code of ethics

In addition to the 4 basic ethical principles, most professional societies or organizations have established ethical guidelines for their members with respect to human dignity, confidentiality, privacy, and patient rights.

To obtain a copy of the CFS Guideline of Conduct go to http://www.forensic-sciences.org/cfs/guideline.htm.

Articles from Journal of Chiropractic Medicine are provided here courtesy of National University of Health Sciences

The 4 basic ethical principles that apply to forensic activities are respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 ethical principles of ethics? ›

An overview of ethics and clinical ethics is presented in this review. The 4 main ethical principles, that is beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice, are defined and explained. Informed consent, truth-telling, and confidentiality spring from the principle of autonomy, and each of them is discussed.

What are the four forensic principles? ›

The 4 basic ethical principles that apply to forensic activities are respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.

What are the four 4 basic rules of ethics? ›

The Fundamental Principles of Ethics. Beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice constitute the 4 principles of ethics. The first 2 can be traced back to the time of Hippocrates “to help and do no harm,” while the latter 2 evolved later.

What are the 4 principles of medical ethics? ›

Four Pillars of Medical Ethics

Beneficence (doing good) Non-maleficence (to do no harm) Autonomy (giving the patient the freedom to choose freely, where they are able) Justice (ensuring fairness)

What are the 4 values of ethics? ›

The four principles (or principles) of medical ethics are defined as:
  • Autonomy – respect for the patient's right to self-determination.
  • Beneficence – the duty to 'do good'
  • Non-Maleficence – the duty to 'not do bad'
  • Justice – to treat all people equally and equitably.
Feb 8, 2024

What are the 4 principles of situation ethics? ›

Pragmatism, positivism, relativism and personalism are the four working principles which mean to be reasonably sure the act you take will work and provide the most loving consequence, accepting Situational Ethics as a matter of faith and not reason, each situation must be relative to love and bring about the most ...

What are the 4 levels of ethics? ›

The model involves four ethical levels: conduct level, fair level, integrity level and avoidable harm level.

What are the 4 standards of ethical behavior? ›

IMA's overarching ethical principles include: Honesty, Fairness, Objectivity, and Responsibility.

What is the principle 4 model code of ethics? ›

Principle IV: Responsibility to the School Community

The professional educator promotes positive relationships and effective interactions, with members of the school community, while maintaining professional boundaries.

What are the 4 ethical rules in healthcare? ›

The language of ethics related to healthcare, also commonly called bioethics, is applied across all practice settings, and four basic principles are commonly accepted. These principles include (1) autonomy, (2) beneficence, (3) nonmaleficence, and (4) justice.

What are the 4 key in ethics of care? ›

Joan Tronto (2005) further elaborated on the EoC and identified four ethical elements: attentiveness, responsibility, competence and responsiveness.

What are the 4 ethical principles in healthcare NCBI? ›

There are four main principles of ethics: autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence. Each patient has the right to make their own decisions based on their own beliefs and values. [4]. This is known as autonomy.

What are the 4 ethical considerations? ›

Nurses are advocates for patients and must find a balance while delivering patient care. There are four main principles of ethics: autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence.

What falls into the 4 basic categories of ethics? ›

Four broad categories of ethical theory include deontology, utilitarianism, rights, and virtues. The deontological class of ethical theories states that people should adhere to their obliga- tions and duties when engaged in decision making when ethics are in play.

Who created the 4 ethical principles? ›

1. Beauchamp and Childress proposed four principles that they argued are common morality (all can agree to) to guide people and analyzing bioethical dilemmas.

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