Medicine could use two new functions: Forensics and Check Status

[Colette Brunel]

Something that comes up in Doomsday Dawn and the Pathfinder Society playtest scenarios mildly often is using Medicine to run forensics on corpses, but there is currently no function for doing such a thing in the Medicine skill. There could stand to be a Forensics function of the Medicine skill, and an accompanying exploration tactic, if Paizo really wants to be thorough with the janky exploration tactics rules.

Similarly, there is currently no mechanic that dictates whether or not creatures are aware of the dead/dying status of other combatants. At the moment, it is more or less up to the GM to decide if any given creature is aware of the dead/dying status of another combatant, which is quite vague. There should really be rules on this to help clear up various situations, as well as a Check Status function of the Medicine skill which lets a creature be sure of the dead/dying status of another creature.

[Strachan Fireblade]

I quite like the idea of a Forensics application or Medicine. I have been using Medicine for just this purpose without having a proper name for it. Forensics is a great term.

[Tholomyes]

This just makes me wish 2e went with 5e's appropriate stat+appropriate skill approach, because, while I don't mind Medicine being Wis based, the prospect of Forensics not being Int based bugs some bits of my brain.

[Gwaihir Scout]

[pedant]

Forensic means "used for legal purposes," not "I did science on a crime scene." Some form of Medical Examination would be better.

[/pedant]

I otherwise agree.

[Dire Ursus]

Tholomyes wrote:

This just makes me wish 2e went with 5e's appropriate stat+appropriate skill approach, because, while I don't mind Medicine being Wis based, the prospect of Forensics not being Int based bugs some bits of my brain.

Funnily enough there is actually a rule for that.

Page 142

"If the GM deems it appropriate, she may have you use a different ability modifier for a skill check or when determining your skill DC."

[Aristophanes]

I like this idea!
However, it should implicitly state that playing "Who Are You?" by The Who during this time is entirely optional.