From Fragmented Practice to Systemic Reform: Challenges and Gaps in India's Medico-Legal Autopsy System

Abstract

Every manslaughter trial  for the offense of causing harm to a human body invites the perspectives of the medical officer in order to determine the cause of death, the extent and impact of injuries, whether they are post-mortem or anti-mortem, the likely weapon used, medications and poisons, whether the wounds are sufficient in the normal course of nature to cause death, how long the injuries last, and the likely time of death. Under these circumstances, the investigating authorities will ask a physician to undertake a postmortem examination, often known as a medico-legal autopsy. The family of the deceased does not need to give permission for a medico-legal autopsy to be conducted. The cause of death in an unexpected sudden death may only be ascertained by a doctor during a postmortem investigation. But it's a common misconception that a postmortem examination's sole goal is to determine the cause of death. The need for skill-based forensic training has grown throughout the world as evidence-based forensic practice becomes more prevalent. Regrettably, a lot of offenders get off lightly because of inaccurate reporting of results and poor case management during their initial encounters in hospitals and autopsy facilities. The autopsies are carried out mechanically, and the identical identification markings and results are copied on the certificates. This article emphasis on the purpose of the investigation and roles of the medico-legal autopsy.