Forensic investigation of unnatural death a medicolegal study

Abstract

Crime is as old as human civilization, also conviction, punishment and so is investigation in cause of death. After inquest if a police officer finds that the person has died under suspicious circumstances or that the death is an unnatural one, he forwards the dead body for autopsy. Autopsy is an examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death or the character and extent of changes produced by diseases. Medical expertise is crucial in death investigations. It begins with body examination and evidence collection at the scene and proceeds through history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and diagnosis. The medical examiner might uncover evidence of a crime. This process ensures credible and objective process to determine which death to investigate. Forensic science is an ever-expanding branch of applied science and technology for fight against crime. The intersection of science and law provides new tools and methodologies for discovering truth. Expert evidence also plays a very important role in defending any medico legal case. Since Judges do not and are not experts to have the knowledge of medical issues, they take help of experts in technical matters. Under the present system of investigation, the forensic expert is not called to the scene of crime. Our system of medico-legal investigation is far from satisfactory. The importance of the forensic medicine in the present day is not fully recognized by the government. The little progress newlinemade by CFL teams, specialized teams of CBI, NIA etc needs to be brought onto grass root level. newline newline