Study Of Pattern Of Death In Unclaimed Dead Bodies Autopsied In A Tertiary Care Hospital – An Autopsy Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Article 6 of universal declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law”. Identification means the determination of the individuality or recognition of that person or dead body based on certain physical characters unique to that individual. It may be complete or partial. Complete identification means the absolute fixation of the individuality of a person, while partial identification means ascertainment of only some facts like race, sex, age and stature. Visual identification is not reliable in majority of the cases, therefore two important identification marks should be noted in live and dead cases. The description should contain anatomical land mark, size; colour either raised or not raised from surface and if no distinct mark is available left thumb impression may be taken. Other points which are considered in establishment of identity are race, religion, sex, age, and other age related changes, acquired peculiarities like mole, tattoos, and congenital deformity. In decomposed and mutilated cases accurate identification is needed for establishment of corpus delicti after homicide. The identification of cadavers is a  crucial  issue  in  forensic  setting, but   the   official  extent  of  this  problem  is  still  poorly  known  in  most countries.   The fact that an  underestimated  problem  of  unclaimed decedents exists  can  be seen from the very small number of published articles  on  the  topic.