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Medicolegal autopsy analysis during Covid-19 pandemic in India
Lairikyengbam Meetali Roy1, Rajeshwar Pate2, Biyabani Naushad Husain3
1Deparment of Forensic Medicine, KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted medicolegal autopsy services, with most autopsies occurring post-lockdown. This shift impacted forensic investigations and highlighted the need for emergency preparedness in public health.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Medicolegal autopsy is crucial for forensic investigations.
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
- Understanding the pandemic's impact on forensic services is vital for public health preparedness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume and pattern of medicolegal autopsies.
- To identify disruptions in forensic services during the pandemic.
- To assess changes in autopsy case types and demographics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1,569 medicolegal autopsies.
- Comparison of autopsy data between lockdown and unlock phases.
- Categorization of deaths by cause (respiratory, cardiac, trauma, suicide) and demographic shifts.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in autopsies during the lockdown phase (6.37%) compared to the unlock phase (93.63%).
- Altered patterns of medicolegal deaths, with a surge in respiratory, cardiac, suicidal, and trauma-related cases post-lockdown.
- Observed shifts in age distribution and notable operational delays in forensic services.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial disruption to medicolegal autopsy services.
- Forensic services require adaptable protocols and integrated public health responses for emergency situations.
- Pandemic-related operational delays and case pattern shifts necessitate strategic planning for future public health crises.
Abstract:
Medicolegal autopsy analysis is an integral part of a forensic investigation. Therefore, it is of interest to document the impact of COVID-19 on autopsy analysis. Hence, a total of 1,569 medicolegal autopsies were analysed. Data shows only 6.37% autopsy were conducted during lockdown while it is 93.63% in the unlock phase, indicating significant disruption in forensic services. The pandemic significantly altered the pattern and volume of medicolegal autopsies, with reduced cases during lockdown and a surge post-lockdown, particularly from respiratory, cardiac, suicidal and trauma-related deaths. Shifts in age distribution and operational delays highlight the broader impact on forensic services, underscoring the need for adaptable protocols and integrated public health responses during emergencies.
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