Challenges in Viscera Analysis: Addressing Errors in Forensic Reporting and Their Medico-Legal Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/iijfmt.2023.21.3-4.5Keywords:
Death, Autopsy, Inquest, Viscera ReportAbstract
Death is defined as the permanent and irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain life. In cases of unnatural death, such as poisoning, an inquiry is conducted by the police or magistrate under Indian law, followed by a post-mortem examination. Poisoning, particularly in suicides, is a common cause of unnatural deaths encountered during autopsies. The cause of death in such cases is confirmed only after receiving a chemical analysis report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Viscera samples are sent for chemical analysis in suspicious death cases or when the cause of death is unclear after autopsy. Often, viscera reports return negative, making it difficult for forensic doctors to determine the exact cause of death, thereby delaying justice or, in some cases, weakening prosecution efforts. This article explores the reasons for errors in viscera reports and discusses their medico-legal implications.
Downloads
References
1. Saukko P, Knight B. Knight’s forensic pathology. 4th ed. London: CRC Press; 2015. p. 55-56, 567-576.
2. Aggrawal A. Textbook of forensic medicine and toxicology. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Avichal Publishers; 2021. p. 119-120, 142-150, 162-163.
3. Biswas G. Review of forensic medicine and toxicology. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2012. p. 83-84.
4. Reddy KSN, Murty OP. The essentials of forensic medicine and toxicology. 35th ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2022. p. 78-99.
5. Tyagi A, Chawla H. Negative viscera report and its medico-legal aspects. Int J Forensic Med Toxicol Sci. 2019;4(1):1-3.
6. Jaiswal AK, Gupta SK, Millo T, Yadav A, Prasad K. Death due to poisoning but viscera report is negative. Indian J Forensic Med Pathol. 2015 Jan;8(1):29-36. 7. Millo T, Akhilesh R. Forensic Toxicology: Reporting and Interpretation. Indian J Criminology and Criminalistics. 2010;31(1):76–85.
8. Singh RK, Chandra H. Estimation of postmortem production and loss of ethanol in blood with respect to its duration of storage at room temperature. Int J Med Toxicol Legal Med. 1999;2(1):1-4.
9. Sharma VK. Poisons, viscera analysis report and its interpretation. Int J Med Toxicol Legal Med. 1999;6:49-54.
10. Jaiswal AK, Millo T. Handbook of Forensic Analytical Toxicology. 1st ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2014. p. 452–8.
11. Pounder DJ, Smith DR. Postmortem diffusion of alcohol from the stomach. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1995 Jun;16(2):89-96.
12. O'Neal CL, Poklis A. Postmortem production of ethanol and factors that influence interpretation: A critical review. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1996 Mar;17(1):8-20.
