1993-2018 ,u ,p vkj lh % iPphl o’kZ&vla[; vk’kk,a Nhrc : Twenty Five Years-billion Hopes 9. What are important points which should be considered during autopsy? External examination 1. Document and photograph all identifying features (distinctive birthmarks, prominent moles, scars, tattoos, etc.). Document examination of clothes, the weight of the person and status of nourishment. 2. Photograph and make sketches of the entire body; take close-up photographs of the hands and face (including the teeth). Photograph before and after. Do videographic recording of the postmortem examination as per NHRC guidelines. 3. Document in detail all injuries on the body (type, location (including distance from the mid-line and from the heel/bony land mark), shape, size and pattern) including signs of healing and signs of patterned/ systematic beating. 4. Suspected bite marks/sexual assaults swab should be taken for DNA/biological luid analysis 5. Document the absence or presence of injuries to the external genital organs, perineum, anus and oral cavity. 6. Document the absence or presence of petechial haemorrhages to the conjunctivae, buccal mucosa and periorbital and retro-auricular skin. 7. Provide ingerprints, to establish the identity of the deceased. 8. Record dental condition and dental procedure (if any). 9. Where there are extensive injuries (e.g. burns) it is important to note the areas that are intact and, in case of burns, an estimation of the burnt body surface should be given. Body hair should be documented where there are burns or scalds. 10.For irearms injuries, the presence or absence of abrasion, stippling, soot and residues, etc., should be thoroughly documented along with measurement of the skin defect. 11.Whenever possible, a full body x-ray should be taken before the internal examination of the body especially in cases of death due to burns, irearm injury, infant deaths, pneumothorax & death during surgical intervention and advanced decomposition. 12.Perform a full autopsy with subcutaneous dissection of the back side of the body and layered in situ neck dissection (partial autopsies are insuf icient). FORENSIC INVESTIGATION | 29