The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md. Kamruzzaman Ferose

Forensic science is any science used for the purposes of the law, and therefore provides impartial scientific evidence for use in the courts of law, and in a criminal investigation and trial. And Post Mortem is one of the area of its. Now a day the "Post Mortem Report" plays a vital role in case of proper investigation. It helps the law enforcing agencies for better law enforcement. Generally "Post Mortem" means autopsy, dissection, analysis, debriefing, examination. Post Mortem is called the medical examination of a dead body in order to establish the cause and circumstances of death. Post Mortem is performed by a doctor trained in pathology. After the exterior body is thoroughly examined, an incision is made to expose the internal organs. Their position is noted, and they are removed for examination by eye and further study under a microscope. Autopsies are commonly performed shortly after death; usually authorization of a surviving relative is required.

Necessity of Post Mortem Report: The main objectives of the post mortem examination of a body is to established its identity when not known, and ascertain the time since death and the cause of death; whether death is natural or unnatural; To identify the real cause of deformed death body; If a skeleton is found, it is necessary to do post mortem; It is necessary to identify the gravity of rape after death of victim; Post Mortem Report is necessary to exhume bodies from graves when a suspicion of poisoning or some foul play, such as criminal abortion, homicide or disputed cause of death. In such instances, the autopsy is made to determine the time and circumstances of death, thereby providing evidence for legal action. So, A medico-legal post mortem examination should never undertake unless there is a written order from a police officer, the district magistrate or the coroner.

Ingredients of Post Mortem Report: The ingredients of post mortem report are very important from which the court get a total concept about death. Basic Ingredients of post mortem report are: Name, gender, age, and caste of dead man; from where the dead body has came (Village & Thana); the name of the constable who brought the dead body and names of relatives who came with dead body; Sent date and time to Thana; The date and time of dead body at the morgue; Experiment date and time; The given information of police; Name of the man who identified the dead body at the instance of the medical officer; etc.

Relationship with Others Reports (GD, FIR, and Inquest Report): Post Mortem Report has a great relation with GD, FIR, and Inquest Report.

A post mortem report depends on General Diary, First Information Report and Inquest Report. For Example, when a police officer heard a news or information about a Dead Body by a person, then the police officer go to the place of occurrence and collect information and make an Inquest Report. When the police can not identify the real causation of death by using Inquest Report then he transferred the dead body to the civil surgeon officer for post mortem examination. The medical officer complete the postmortem and then he make a report which help to identify the real cause of death.

How Post Mortem Report Helps the Criminal Justice System: For proper enforcement of criminal justice System, Post Mortem Report can play a vital role. Post mortem report helps to identify the real criminal who directly involved with that crime.

Because the post mortem report contains some symptoms of the nature of crime which is found in the dead body. For Example, a dead body is found, which contain two sign of hurt by the knife and in inquest report have shown five people related with this activities. Judges does not know who the main culprit is.

Then the post mortem report is required to identify who is main criminal and also who will get grievous punishment according to their activities. Above the example, we can say that post mortem report is very essential for proper judgment.