%0 Journal Article %T Medicina legal, peritos y peritaciones %A Kvitko %A Luis Alberto %J Medicina Legal de Costa Rica %D 2012 %I Asociaci¨Žn Costarricense de Medicina Forense %X the present work describes the historical evolution of the concept of legal medicine and as has been applied in various contexts. it highlights the work of the proficient such as an expert, away from what is usually considered when declared in a trial: a simple witness. precisely there are marked differences between this witness and an expert, which must have a great amount of ethical, moral and social values not to deform the truth of the facts. it also suggests what should be the actions that you must possess as a legal medicine proficient, to have an adequate evidentiary value as a tool during a judicial process; and improving the administration of justice %K legal medicine %K judicial process %K proficient %K legal medical expertise %K witness %K historical aspects %K simulation %K secondary gain. %U http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1409-00152012000100002&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en