Postmortem toxicology analysis in India: Rethinking the future

In India, it is prevalent to collect and preserve samples for post-mortem toxicology analysis during autopsy in any unnatural death. Recent trends in poisoning show a change in the poisons used for suicidal or homicidal purposes as well as those causing accidental exposures. Newer developments in analytical technology and techniques have made it possible to detect poisons even from minute samples. However, despite these advances, there has been no change in the guidelines for sample collection during autopsies and the current practices are based on recommendations from decades ago. Contrary to practices prevalent in India, most developed nations have optimised their protocols for the collection of samples, storage, and analysis based on the latest technological advances.

In this article, the authors attempt to review current international standards for the collection of samples and their analysis; and compare them with the prevalent practice in India. This article will also focus on the challenges in bringing such changes to our existing archaic system. Even a small change with respect to the amount of sample that needs to be collected for toxicological analysis from an autopsy, if implemented uniformly across the country, will help in reducing the burden on Forensic Science Laboratories and thus improve their efficiency, resulting in speedy disposal of cases.