Monday, 26 December 2011

Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal issues:What is exhumation?


The word exhumation literally means "out of ground”. It is derived from Latin words ex meaning "out of", and humus, meaning "ground".

·         It is done in cases where there is a complaint of foul play, controversy or dispute related with any unnatural or natural death of a person or persons or if death was allegedly due to any criminal action.

·         Exhumation is necessary, when the first post-mortem was inadequate, and it is thought that a second postmortem may bring some more facts to light.
·         The dead body can only be exhumed when there is a written order from executive magistrate or Higher Court of Law of the land.
·         In case of exhumation the concerned police official should approach the appropriate government hospital in writing along with the order of exhumation to constitute a medical board of at least three qualified and experience doctors.
·         Material found in exhumation/spot and further examination should be done as per law.
·         Resting places and the norm of many cultures is that the dead should not be disturbed. However, for a variety of reasons, they are disturbed through the process of exhumation.

 

(Ref: Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Volume 2, Number 2, July-December 2001)


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