Debunking the Evidentiary Value of Autopsy and Post- Mortem Report in Criminal Investigations: A Complete Guide of Procedure in Pakistan

Abstract

Autopsy (post-mortem examination, obduction, or necropsy) refers to a medical technique in which the body of a deceased individual is examined to establish the reason and manner of death, as well as to assess any disease or injury that may have occurred. A medico-legal autopsy is performed when the cause of death is unknown, such as in road-traffic accidents, suicide, homicide, burns, or certain mishaps. This research underscores the medico-legal autopsy as one of the significant areas in criminal justice and regard it as the pinnacle of medical practice, reserved for exceptional instances or forensic investigations. It purveys the complete procedure of autopsy in consideration with the requirements of criminal procedural law. This research renders the evidentiary value of autopsy in different circumstances of accident, suicide and homicides to extrapolate the reason and cause of death. It argues that medico-legal autopsy plays a vital role in the dispensation of criminal justice. Nonetheless, many studies, including this one, demonstrates the utility and importance of autopsies, that is requisite for a thorough and correct investigation to facilitate the cause of justice.