Toxological Viscera Analysis in India: Current Scenario, Problems & Suggestions- One Year Study of Autopsy Cases Where Viscera Had Been Preserved

Abstract

Chemical and Toxoclogical analysis of viscera is conducted in a Medicolegal Death investigation to rule out poisoning/intoxication in the death of the deceased. The analysis is done only in Forensic Science Laboratories established by Indian Government. The Viscera reports are usually received after a period of considerable delay and opinion about the case is kept pending till then. Keeping the same thing into consideration, this study was undertaken to analyze the system of Viscera analysis after autopsy and identifying the factors and problems hampering the timely Chemical Analysis. The study was conducted in Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical sciences, New Delhi. All the Medicolegal Autopsy Cases in the period of one year from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 where viscera was preserved were studied. Data was collected and analyzed from the PM reports and the subsequent viscera reports from FSLs received in the Department till 30th April 2017. The viscera analysis report was received in only 45.5% cases till 30th April 2017 and only 6.2% cases analysis reports were received within six months of conduction of postmortem. Poisons and Drugs were detected in 134 (41.5%) case out of which Ethyl and Methyl Alcohol constitutes 78.6% cases and only in those cases quantification was performed. The reasons of the delay in analysis of viscera and its effects on Medicolegal Death Investigation are discussed. It was concluded that there is a need of establishing Toxological Laboratories associated with the district hospitals and Medical Colleges where postmortem are being conducted.