Abstract
The personnel involved in the management of COVID-19 affected dead bodies, including law enforcement personnel at the scene of crime, personnel involved in transportation of the dead bodies, forensic practitioners, autopsy pathologists, mortuary personnel, as well as the family members of the dead, etc. are at risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Post-mortem examination is a high-risk procedure, considering that it involves aerosol generating procedures, and exposure to body fluids. The safety of the forensic practitioners and support staff in the management of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 deaths hence, is of extreme importance, especially in the absence of pre-autopsy testing for COVID-19 and due to non-availability of adequate first-hand medical history of the deceased. This communication aims to highlight the current practices and advises certain guidelines in ensuring occupational health and safety in view of these risks in medico-legal death investigations.
Highlights
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is responsible for the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) which causes severe respiratory illness
Autopsy on COVID-19 positive and suspected cases is considered a high-risk procedure. All personnel, including those involved in the death scene visit, transportation, storage and autopsy procedures, as well as all other personnel coming in contact with the dead bodies of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases should use appropriate masks or respirators, double gloves, surgical gowns and waterproof aprons, in addition to goggles or face shields, surgical scrubs, caps and boot covers, as part of recommended infection prevention and control measures [14]
The exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is a serious occupational risk to all the personnel involved in the management of the dead bodies
Summary
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is responsible for the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) which causes severe respiratory illness. Scene investigators may be required to collect samples, including swabs from the deceased before the body is processed for autopsy.
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