Notes- Umang Sharma
DEATH
In medical science, death is defined as prominent cessation of vital organs. It is
irreversible stoppage of all the activities related to human body. The study of
death is termed as Thanatology. Death is classified in two types:
1. Somatic Death- The complete and irreversible loss of consciousness,
respiration and circulation.
2. Cellular Death- It is the gradual breakdown of body cells after death
somatic death.
Some important point related to death are:
1. Declaration of Death- A person is declared dead when there is permanent
and irreversible loss of consciousness, respiration and circulation of a
person.
2. Certification of Death- A death certificate is issued by a competent
medical professional. It includes cause, time and manner of death of a
person. It is issued only after full assurance of death of a person.
3. Time of Death- Time of death of a person is determined by seeing the post
mortem changes in the body of a person.
MODES OF DEATH
1. Coma- It occurs when a person's central nervous system ceases to
function. Coma is an unconscious state in which a person is completely
unresponsive to any stimuli. There are a variety of reasons of coma,
including:
Head injury.
Hemorrhage
Injury to the brain membrane.
Effect of the cerebral toxin
2. Syncope- Syncope is a condition in which the heart fails to operate
properly. In this condition, the amount of blood in a person's brain
decreases. There are several causes of syncope, such as:
Direct harm to the heart
Injury to the main arteries and veins
External or internal damage that cause syncope.
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiac poison.
3. Asphyxia- Asphyxia’ is a greek word which means pulselessness.
Asphyxia can be defined as acute shortage of oxygen in the body
associated with the inability of body to eliminate toxic carbon dioxide.
Notes- Umang Sharma
POST MORTEM EXAMINATION
The phrase "post mortem" refers to the inspection of a person's body
following death. It is also known as an autopsy. It is a scientific
examination of the dead body to determine the cause of death. It is
typically done in circumstances of suspected death. The primary goal of
postmortem is to ascertain the cause and timing of death.
The rules for post-mortems are as follows:
1. Only medical practitioners should do them.
2. It shall be carried out only after acquiring an official order from the
competent authority.
3. Requisition refers to a formal order issued by a competent authority.
4. It should be undertaken as soon as possible.
5. It should be done at a mortuary.
6. No unapproved persons should be present during the post-mortem.
7. It should only be done in daylight because the colour of certain
injuries may not be seen in artificial light.
8. If a person dies in police custody, a video of the postmortem must
be taken and sent to court.
9. Take photographs and keep a record.
OBJECTIVE OF POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION
The following are the goals of the post-mortem examination:
1. Identification of the Deceased: A post-mortem examination aids in
determining the deceased's identification. If the body cannot be physically
identified, it can be recognized by a variety of body markers, including
tattoos and scars.
2. Determining Age and Sex: By analyzing a person's bones and teeth, a
post-mortem examination can determine an individual's age. A person's
sex can also be inferred from their sexual appearance or by looking at their
bones.
3. To Ascertain Cause of Death: In situations where death is suspected,
post mortem examination aids in establishing the cause of death.
4. To ascertain the manner of death: A post-mortem examination can help
identify whether a death was accidental, suicide, or violent.
5. Estimate time since Death- Time since death can be estimated with the
help of post mortem examination of the dead body of a person.
6. Documentation of Injuries- Post mortem analysis helps in the
documentation of injuries because while conducting post mortem
Notes- Umang Sharma
examination, the medical jurist documents all the essential details about
a person`s death.
7. In case of Infanticide- Post mortem examination helps in determining the
age, sex and condition of the foetus. It also helps to know whether the
child was born alive or dead.
POST MORTEM REPORT
Post mortem report is a document which is admissible in the court of law in
medico legal cases. Post mortem report contains various details about the death
of person. The details include internal and external injuries on body, Time since
death, manner of death etc.
Post mortem report has 3 parts:
1. Introductory Part- It includes following things:
Name of the person in identified body.
Age
Father`s name in identified body
Sex
Caste
Address
Date and time of examination of dead body
Any symptom of disease
Details of material collected from body
2. Examination Part- This part includes the following things:
Condition of the body
Wound( If present)
Bruises(If present)
Injury(If Present)
Ligature marks
Condition of pupil
Fracture
Analysis of scalp skull, brain, thorax, right lung or left lung, heart,
ribs, trachea
Examination of esophagus, stomach, Small intestine, Large
intestine, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, etc.
3. Opinion or conclusion- After the complete internal and external
examination of the body, opinion regarding cause of death and time since
death is given. They are the opinion of the medical jurist who are
responsible to conduct post mortem.
PYQ
Notes- Umang Sharma
Q. What is Postmortem(2015) 1 marks
Q. Discuss medicolegal aspect of unnatural death(2015) 1 marks
Q. Define and classify death(2017) 1 marks
Q. Write difference between somatic and molecular death(2018) 1 marks
Q. Name the modes of death(2024) 1 marks
Q. Describe aims and objectives of post mortem(2015, 2017) 4 marks
Q. Describe death, its modes and medicolegal aspects(2018) 8 marks
Q. Define death. Describe the modes of death(2019) 8 marks