Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Students Towards Medico Legal Postmortems at NSCB Medical College Jabalpur MP

Abstract

There is shortage of specialists in Forensic medicine. Most of the autopsies in India are conducted by non-specialist doctors. To frame strategies for improving the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards medico legal postmortems, we must know the current status of these aspects. This study is conducted to know the attitude of medical students towards medico-legal autopsy. 204 medical students in second year and third year of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose medical College Jabalpur were asked to respond to a premade questionnaire. 85.29% students reported that relatives cannot request a medico legal autopsy without police information. 73.52% think that if the case is brought dead to casualty, it is mandatory to send dead body for postmortem examination. 42.15% students opined that doctor can refer autopsy case to another doctor in a different hospital/city. 80.39% responded that information about postmortem report can be divulged under RTI (Right to Information) act. 74.50% students reported that partial autopsy is not permissible in India. 42.15% students recorded positive response to specialize in forensic medicine.