A Comprehensive Analysis of Autopsy Exhumation Cases - A Prospective Study from Kashmir Valley.

Rashid, Arsalaan F.; Lone, Riyaz; Firdous, Nashwa; Khan, Reyaz

Introduction: Exhumation is legal disinterment of humans remains from place of burial. Exhumation followed by autopsy, results in outcome of autopsies depends on several factors. Aim of this study is to present autopsy outcome from exhumation cases from northern India. Material and Methods: This study involves 10 cases of exhumation followed by autopsy over a period of 6 years from 2016 to 2022 in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, GMC Srinagar. Results: Almost all people associated with these exhumations found it a traumatic experience even though they accepted that it was necessary to unravel the evidences needed by law to deliver justice. Reluctance of relatives to let undergo the process of Exhumation was common. An equal percentage of males (50%) and females (50%) were found in the study. Majority of cases belonged to age group of 20-25 years. Most of these exhumations were done in rural areas (80% of cases). Time elapsed between burial and exhumation varied from 10 days to 220 days. Almost all of these retrieved dead bodies were found in late/advanced stage of decomposition. A clear cause of death was given in more than 70% cases.

DEAD; ARCHAEOLOGICAL human remains; FORENSIC medicine; EXHUMATION; FORENSIC toxicology; AUTOPSY

Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 2024, Vol 24, Issue 1, p35

0972-5687

Academic Journal

10.5958/0974-083X.2024.00007.3