Interpretation of artefacts in medico - legal autopsy [Forensic - Pathology]

Misinterpretation of Artefacts could lead to miscarriage of justice. A post-mortem study ofthe Artefacts encountered during medico-legal autopsy of the cases brought to Victoria hospital, Bangalore medical college, were studied for a period of 2 years and the data were compared between 1^st & 2^nd year of the study. In the study, Artelacts due to Decomposition were 31.10% & 27.75%, due to Burns were 15.6% & 16.39%, due to Rigor mortis were 15.20% & 18.53%, Agonal artefacts were 14.38% & 13.015%, Anthropological artifacts were 12.74% & 13.78%. Faulty dissection technique accountedfor 8.42% & 7.84%, and due to Iatrogenic reasons 2.67% & 2.63% in the 1^st & 2^nd year of study respectively. From the Artefacts observed and discussed in this study, it highlights the proper recognition and interpretation of the significant Ante-mortem features from the inconsequential Post-mortem artefacts.