Department of Forensic Medicine, Kempe Gowda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore
Blood and selected viscera are generally collected during medicolegal autopsies in suspected cases of poisoning. This is sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) of the area, and based on the analysis conducted, final opinion as to the cause of death is furnished. Many medical officers and junior forensic experts have no idea, or possess only vague knowledge as to how the toxicologists in the FSL proceed to conduct various tests on the samples sent, and issue the report. This paper illustrates the procedure of conducting various tests adopted at FSL Bangalore, Karnataka, and highlights some points to be observed by doctors while performing the autopsy, and subsequently interpreting the report of the FSL for arriving at the cause of death, particularly when the chemical analysis is negative.
