Mutilated and Skeletonised Dead Bodies Postmortem Examination: Challenges and Need of Advanced Forensic Technologies- A Case Series

Abstract

Introduction- Determination of the identity is the determination of the individuality of a person. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right of recognition everywhere as a person before the law either living or dead [1]. Identication in living and dead can be established by various data and examination but in rare cases of mutilated bodies, dismembered body parts or skeletonised body its get difcult to establish identity and cause of death. Main purpose of this study is to establish identity of person in relation toAim of study- age and sex, to know the cause of death and to recover evidential material samples from the corpse which may help further in crime investigation and reconstruction of crime scene. Method and Methodology- We analysed postmortem examination done at Mortuary of S. N. Medical College, Agra of 2 different cases brought here for medicolegal autopsy to be conducted by a panel of doctors including one Forensic expert. Postmortem examination of burned, mutilated, decomposedResult and Conclusion- or skeletonised remains raises several questions. Complete autopsy examination including a dental examination is very benecial in these cases. In few cases even a small postmortem nding alone proves benecial to derive the cause of death but sometimes autopsy examination alone is insufcient in establishing identication particularly in skeletonised and mutilated corpses. In such cases, collobaration of recent advanced technologies like Forensic DNA analysis, Forensic imaging and Facial recognition techniques with Forensic medicine may open the doors of hope to extract best possible information helpful in crime investigation.