Bibliometric analysis of medical malpractice literature in forensic medicine from 2000 to 2024: a scopus-based study

Aims: Forensic medicine, a multidisciplinary field integrating medicine and law, provides an essential framework for examining the evolution of medical malpractice research. Understanding shifts in forensic practices, patterns of institutional collaboration, and emerging research trends is crucial for evaluating developments within the discipline. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the global literature on medical malpractice examined within medico-legal and forensic medicine contexts between 2000 and 2024, in order to identify publication trends, citation patterns, collaboration networks, and thematic developments. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Scopus database on October 15, 2025, using the search terms “medical malpractice,” “medical negligence,” “malpractice,” and “forensic medicine.” A total of 189 English-language research articles published between 2000 and 2024 were included. Descriptive analyses and network visualizations were performed using R Bibliometrix and VOSviewer (v1.6.20). Results: An average annual growth rate of 4.3% in publication counts was observed. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine was the most productive journal, while Italy, Turkiye, and China were identified as the leading contributing countries. In institutional collaboration networks, Università degli Studi di Milano and Sapienza Università di Roma held central positions. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Turkiye demonstrated the highest connection strength among institutions, reflecting an increase in the country’s research capacity in forensic medicine. The most frequently used keywords were “forensic medicine,” “autopsy,” and “liability.” Conclusion: Medical malpractice research examined within medico-legal and forensic medicine contexts showed a consistent upward trend between 2000 and 2024. European countries continued to occupy central positions in international collaboration networks. Overall, the findings indicate that institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration in forensic medicine research is progressively strengthening worldwide.