WHAT IS POSTMARTEM?
A post-martem also known as an autopsy this is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a Pathalogist.
MEANING OF POST-MORTEM. Post-mortem examination means an examination of a dead body which carries under the state law for the protection of the citizens of the state and for the identification and prosecution of the guilty.
All general assessment in seen of occurrence is written in deceased report.
Postamartem is not a conclusive evidence but it is corroborative type of evidence which is helpful in trial.
PURPOSE
The aims of death investigation are to answer the following questions: 1. Who died? (identification of the deceased)
IDENTIFICATION OF DECEDENT
The body of the deceased should be identified by the plice constable brought it or if necessary by the relatives in presence of the meical officer who should make a note of the names and addresses of such persons. 2. Where? (place of death)
Place of death is also mentioned in the postmortem report which has the evidentiary value.
A crime scene visit is worth undertaking, when scene exists. The medical officer should proceed with the examination only after the scene has been documented by photograph, diagram, or sketch, and the search for physical and trace evidence is concluded. 3. When? (time of death)
In the postmortem report specialized doctor cant estimate the approximate time since death. 4. Why? (cause of death)
The disease process or injury responsible for initiating the train of events, brief or prolonged, which produces the fatal end result.

5. How? (manner & mechanism of death)
The fashion in which the cause of death came into being; i.e. whether natural, accident, suicide, homicide, unclassified (alcohol/drug deaths) or undetermined.

TYPES OF POST-MARTEM

There are two main types of Post-martem: Madico-Legal or Forensic post-martem
Medico-Legal Autopsy or Forensic or coroner's autopsies seek to find the cause and manner of death and to identify the decedent. They are generally performed, as prescribed by applicable law, in cases of violent, suspicious or sudden deaths, deaths without medical assistance or during surgical procedures.
Clinical or academic post-martem to diagnose a particular disease or for research purposes. They aim to determine, clarify, or confirm medical diagnoses that remained unknown or unclear prior to the patient's death. Clinical autopsies serve two major purposes. They are performed to gain more insight into pathological processes and determine what factors contributed to a patient's death. Autopsies are also performed to ensure the standard of care at hospitals.

WHEN POST-MARTEM IS NECESSARY
POST-MARTEM IS REQUIRED IN CASE OF UNATURAL DEATH,ACCIDENTAL DEATH,HOMOCIDE,SUICIDE
REQUIRMENTS OF POST-MARTEM
There must be Government hospital to conduct post-martem Private hospital can aslo conduct Postmartem but it is very difficult for them to appear in courts at the time of trial. Doctet is the 2nd requirements for the conduction of post-martem. No postmortem will be initiated without docket.There must be docket from the respective Police station docket consist of FIR, in ordinary cases registration of FIR is necessary for conducted Postmartm.
Deceased Report,
Deceased Report is the part of that docket which is received to the respective Government Hospital . Permission Letter,
Permission letter is required in ordinary cases from area majistrate.This is also part of that docket.
INGREDIENTS OF POST-MARTEM
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:
This is a detailed head to toe examination of the naked body, documenting stains and soiling, general and specific individualising characteristics, post-mortem changes (temperature, lividity, rigor mortis, putrefaction).
The location, extent and type of staining or soiling of the body are described e.g. dual flow pattern of blood from a wound, high velocity impact blood spatter from gunshot wound, coffee grounds vomitus and melaena (upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage), antiseptic from medical intervention.
General body characteristics are recorded, namely:- racial group, height, weight, head hair (colour, dyed, length, style, balding), eyes (colour, pupil size, conjunctival congestion or petechial haemorrhages, jaundice, prosthesis), nose and ear canals (blood, pus), earlobes (piercing, earlobe creases), face (hirsute woman, clean shaven, beard, moustache), mouth (vomit, blood, tablet debris, teeth, dentures), breasts
(normally developed, atrophic, hirsute), genitalia (pubic hair pattern, circumcised, palpable testes), feet (general hygiene, bunions, ingrowing nails).
More specific identifying characteristics are described fully: tattoos (location, design, colour, names), scars (surgical and non-surgical, needle tracks, striae), skin lesions (naevi, senile keratoses, other skin diseases), prosthesis, pacemaker.
Post-mortem changes are documented, namely:- body temperature to touch (alternatively state if the body has been refrigerated), rigor mortis (extent and degree), hypostatic lividity (distribution, dual pattern, colour, contact pallor), putrefactive changes.