Overdue chemical analysis report - Backbone in poisoning death

In medicolegal autopsy where poisoning is suspected, the final opinion as to the cause of death is generally kept pending till availability of chemical analysis report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (F.S.L). Barring some corrosive poison very few poisons leaves any conclusive evidence in the body to be detected.after death. Identification of poison and its concentration is essential to form a definite opinion as to cause of death from poisoning.

Of this study is to analyse time consumption at various levels, right from the dispatch of the viscera after preservation, to giving the final opinion regarding the exact cause of death.

The present retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Government Medical College, & Sir T. General Hospital Bhavnagar during the period from 1^st January 2014 to 31^st December 2014 and includes a total of 153 cases of suspected poisoning death.

Indicate that average time during which viscera were left at mortuary after P.M. Examination for 16 - 30 days in 56 cases (36.6%) and for < 5 days in only 6 cases (3.9%). The chemical examiner had taken 2–3 months to furnish the toxicological report in 66 cases (49.25%). In 54 cases (40%), the police had taken 16–30 days to produce the chemical analysis report in Forensic Medicine Dept. for the final cause of death. In all the cases, the Forensic Pathologist concerned gave the opinion as to the cause of death on the same day of the receipt of chemical analysis report.