The Role of Fingernails in Death Investigation

In forensic pathology, forensic onychology studies fingernails and toenails for medicolegal purposes. It mainly deals with DNA profiling from nails, toxicological analysis for detecting poisons, and the collection of trace evidence present under the nails. Injuries to fingernails and their interpretation for medicolegal purposes are the neglected areas of this study. We have discussed the most common types of fingernail injuries and their significance. We found that their notification has significant value in drowning cases, defense wounds on the palm, self-inflicted cuts, burns, electrocution, blunt trauma, physical assault, sexual offenses, and other issues like torture. We emphasize the examination of fingernails in the autopsy and medicolegal clinical examination for better administration of law and justice.