1Associate Professor, Dept. Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
2Senior Resident, Dept. Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
3Junior Resident, Dept. Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
Autopsy practice has manifold benefits to mankind. It played an important role in the evolution of modern medicine as a Science. Pathological autopsy, as a tool, contributed a lot for improving the standards of medical care and thus for betterment of humanity. Medico legal autopsy plays an important role of aiding in the process of administration of justice. It is no exaggeration to say that entire modern medicine took birth in our mortuaries. It is undeniable that many benefits are sought only through autopsy practice. It is high time we should be manifestly honest, respectful and open towards the deceased and their families at all times in autopsy practice.1
Attempts have been made by many Medico-Legal organizations cutting across national boundaries for harmonization of the performance of medico-legal autopsy. The guidelines put forward by European Council of legal medicine are one of the best of its kind.2 This article attempts to emphasize on the need for a medico legal code for the whole country of India which deals with ethical and scientific standards for medico legal autopsy in the country.
Medical legal code, Autopsy, Ethical Forensics, Performance Standards
