Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among bodies subjected for autopsy conducted in the Department of forensic medicine, M. S. Ramaiah medical college and hospital, Bangalore between 22 nd January 2008 and 17 th October 2008 was studied with the aims and objectives of estimating the risk of exposure amongst autopsy surgeons to HIV and to study the age, sex, occupation, social status and manner of deaths amongst the seropositive cases. Detailed information regarding the deceased and circumstances of death was collected from the police and relatives by a questionnaire. Consent was taken from first-degree relatives. Confidentiality maintained throughout. Among total 510 cases, 11 cases had seropositive results-2.15%. Maximum number HIV positives were in the age group 21-50 years. Males and females showed similar results proportionally. One transgender, who was a sex worker, had seropositive result. An intravenous drug abuser had a negative result. HIV was more prevalent amongst sex workers, drivers, construction workers, housewives, road side dwellers and among unknown bodies. Married individuals had more positive results. Unknown bodies that are poorly built had high positive rates. Unknown bodies pose 3 times more risk of HIV than known bodies. Up to 30% of positive cases were of unknown identity. Natural deaths were more among positive cases. Suicide was preferred by HIV positive cases belonging to younger age group in which the cause for committing suicide was unclear. Hanging was mostly the preferred method. Almost all positive cases belonged to lower socio-economic status. Tuberculosis was associated in 1/3 rd cases of seropositive results.