Annual Report 1999-2000 independent evidence in cases of custodial violence, the Commission had recommended to all the States and Union Territories that post-mortem examination of custodial deaths be video-filmed and placed before the Commission to enable it to assess independently the cause of such deaths. While a number of States have complied with this recommendation of the Commission, it is essential for the Commission to reiterate that this recommendation also be complied with by the States and UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh and Delhi, who have not yet responded positively. Tlieir acceptance of this recommendation is essential to the proper protection of human rights in these States and Union Territories, to the curbing of custodial violence. 3.23 The Commission also noted that the Autopsy Report forms, which were in use in various States, were not comprehensive, and therefore, did not serve the desired purpose. They left scope for doubt and manipulation. After detailed discussions with experts in this field, and after ascertaining the views of the States and also talang into consideration the UN Model Autopsy Protocol, the Commission prepared a Model Autopsy Form. This was circulated among the States and Union Territories on 27 March 1997, for adoption. So far, 25 States and Union Territories have accepted it. The Commission strongly urges the remaining States of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu 8c Kashmir, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Nagaland to adopt the Model Autopsy Form. Minimum Kit for Autopsies 3.24 Pursuant to the letter dated 8 June 1999, received fiom the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), New Delhi, regarding the use of a model minimum kit for autopsies, the Commission, on 11 June 1999, constituted a Committee, headed by Justice Dr. K. Ramaswamy, Member of the Commission; along with Shri D.R. Karthikeyan, Director General (Investigation); Shri R.D. Kapoor, Special Secretary (NE), Ministry of Home Affairs; Dr. R.K. Tiwari, Chief Forensic Scientist; Bureau of Police Research and Development; Dr. Bishnu Kumar, Forensic Science Expert; and Dr. Joep Toebosch, Criminologist, to discuss issues relating to autopsy procedures and autopsy forms ^vith the assistance of forensic science experts. The Committee ^vas also requested to assess the utility of a kit presented by Dr. Joep Toebosch of CHRI. Consequent to discussions of this Committee, the following decisions were taken: □ Since the issue of post-mortem falls in the list of State subjects, the Ministry of Home Affairs would need to coordinate this matter with the States and with the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health may be made the Nodal Agency for the Development of the Forensic Centres. □ Material relevant to the subject should be collected and an effort made to finalise proper directions as early as possible, which could then be issued in the form of a booklet. 24