Objective of pm examination

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Objectives of Postmortem (PM) Examination

A postmortem examination (autopsy/necropsy) is the examination of a body after death. Its objectives differ slightly between a medicolegal (forensic) autopsy and a pathological (clinical) autopsy.

Objectives of a Medicolegal PM Examination

As stated directly in Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, the objectives are:

1. To Establish Identity of the Deceased

Determine who the dead person is using bodily appearance, anomalies, surgical scars, implants, dental records, fingerprints, and other identifying features.
In unidentified bodies, photographs and fingerprints must be taken.

2. To Determine the Cause of Death

Whether death was natural or unnatural.
If unnatural - whether it was suicide, homicide, or accident.
To identify the weapon, person, or poison responsible for death.
In fatal wounding cases - to determine what volitional activity (movement/action) was possible after the fatal trauma.
To collect and document trace evidence left by the accused on the victim (especially critical in homicide).

3. To Determine the Manner of Death

The forensic pathologist must determine whether death was natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal (NASH classification).

4. To Estimate Time Since Death

Based on postmortem changes: changes in the eye, rigor mortis, postmortem staining (lividity), decomposition, skeletonisation, carbon dating, etc.

5. To Determine the Mode of Death

Whether the cause of death acted through the brain, heart, or lungs first - the logical pathophysiological sequence of how the cause led to death.

6. In Cases of Newborn Infants

To determine whether the child was live-born or stillborn.
If live-born, what was the cause of death.

7. In Cases of Mutilated, Fragmented, or Skeletal Remains

To determine whether remains are human.
If human - the probable cause of death and approximate time since death.

8. To Restore the Body

To restore the body to the best possible cosmetic appearance before release to relatives.

Objectives of a Pathological (Clinical) Autopsy

As described in The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (36th ed., 2026):

To determine the cause of death and the extent of natural disease.
To identify the combination of comorbidities that led to death.
To detect previously unrecognized or undiagnosed disease.
To help the family identify inheritable conditions present in the deceased.
To assess the effectiveness of treatment given before death.
It is academically oriented and relies heavily on histological assessment.

Key Differences: Forensic vs. Pathological Autopsy

Feature	Medicolegal Autopsy	Pathological Autopsy
Requested by	Police / Magistrate	Relatives / Hospital
Consent required	Not required	Required
History	Often absent, sketchy, or misleading	Usually available
Scope	Full, complete examination mandatory	Partial - organ/cavity of interest
Focus	Cause, manner, time of death; trace evidence	Disease extent, treatment outcome
Department	Forensic Medicine	Pathology
Legal value	High - court evidence	Academic/clinical

Essential Requirements of a Medicolegal PM Examination

Per Parikh's Textbook:

Performed by a registered medical practitioner with training in forensic medicine.
Examination must be meticulous and complete - all cavities opened, all organs examined.
All positive findings and important negative ones must be recorded (e.g., absence of skull fracture in head injury, absence of defence injuries in struggle).
All information preserved by written records, photographs, radiographs, sketches, measurements, and weights.
Trace evidence properly documented and preserved.
A factual and objective medical report provided for law enforcement, with the knowledge that findings may be challenged in cross-examination in court.

"A poor or incomplete autopsy is worse than no autopsy at all, as it is more likely to lead to a miscarriage of justice." - The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th ed.

Sources:

[Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology](ISBN: 9789388902267), Q.5.1, p.118
[The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th ed. (2026)](ISBN: 9789366165257), FM2.13, pp.110-111
[P.C. Dikshit Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology](ISBN: 9788188867967), Chapter on Autopsy

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