Deciphering Medicolegal Autopsy from the Perspective of Undergraduate Students in a Medical University in Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Autopsy or postmortem examination is an important aspect of medicolegal investigation and an integral part of medical education. It is of paramount importance in ascertaining the cause of death, time since death, manner of death, collection of evidence and also in establishing a positive identification in case of unclaimed dead bodies. As part of medical curriculum, medical students are required to witness as well as perform a certain number of autopsies. Methods: To understand autopsy from the perspective of medical undergraduate students, a questionnaire was prepared which contained questions to assess knowledge and to understand attitudes of students towards autopsy. Conclusion: Almost all students opined that autopsies are an essential part of medical education. Most students opined that autopsy helped them in understanding basic anatomy of the human body as well as common pathological conditions. Few students expressed discomfort towards watching an autopsy. A good number of students showed interest in encouraging kin of the deceased to donate cornea. In conclusion, autopsy holds the potential in shaping students to competently opine about the cause of death, engage in research as well as to send a social message in the form of donating eyes after death.