Importance of Crime Scene Visits by a Forensic Medicine Expert: A Survey-Based Study

Abstract

Background This study is intended to compare the Indian system of inquests, which is conducted by nonscientific people like police and magistrate (who are compulsorily neither qualified in science nor in law), and the medical examiner system of the USA which is done by doctors specialized in forensic medicine/pathology. Aims The goal of this study was to see if bringing in a medical examiner system makes a difference in determining the cause, manner, and time of death as compared to the current system of conducting inquests and autopsies by two different agencies, namely, the police and forensic medicine experts. Material and methods In the present study, a peculiar case (in which the police were clueless and the autopsy surgeon was confused during the autopsy) was chosen for getting an expert opinion from 50 forensic medicine experts from different parts of the country in which police were not clear regarding cause, manner and time of death, but later after a crime scene visit by forensic medicine experts who had conducted the autopsy, it was clarified. Opinion regarding the cause, manner, and time since death was taken from 50 medico-legal experts in two steps. In the first step, only the autopsy finding and history obtained from police were provided and in the second step, additional information obtained from the crime scene visit by forensic medicine experts was provided. The sampling method was purposive sampling. Result In the cause of death, Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was 0.30% (z-statistic = 3.87, p-value = 0.0001), indicating a significantly low agreement between the first and second steps by the experts, as their decision changed after getting the evidence of the crime scene visit. In the manner of death, Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was 0.06% (z-statistic = 0.66, p-value = 0.2540) indicating a very low agreement between the first and second opinions by the experts as their decision regarding the suspected manner of death changed drastically after getting the evidence of crime scene. In the time since death, Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was 0.5531% (z-statistic = 7.25, p-value = 0.0001), which also indicates significant difference. Conclusion Therefore, in this study, the usefulness of the medical examiner system in the Indian setting has been proved beyond doubt expecting drastic improvement in criminal investigation by introducing the medical examiner system in India.

Crime Scene Examination of a Suicidal Pact: A Case Report

“…However, the possibility of dyadic death was ruled out, as there were no signs of struggle. According to Locard’s exchange principle, there is an exchange of material evidence between the accused, victim, and the crime scene [ 13 ], but in this case, as per our observation, the crime scene was undisturbed, which rules out the involvement of any intruder and any signs of scuffle between family members. This shows their mutual agreement toward committing this action.…”

“…This is also essential in differentiating deaths following suicide pacts and dyadic deaths. Aside from similarly advocating that crime scene visits are an essential part of the work of forensic medicine experts, Kumar et al also insist that forensic medicine specialists be an integral part of investigating team [13]. Medical experts are involved in every aspect of death investigations and trials, including post-mortem examination, evidence gathering, physical examination, laboratory analysis, witness interviews, expert testimony, and depositions [14][15][16][17].…”

Misinterpretation of a Gunshot Injury by a Non-forensic Medicine Expert: A Case Report of Misguidance in a Criminal Investigation Involving the Unusual Firearm Injury 'Kronlein Shot’

“…One of the studies by Kumar et al emphasized the need for forensic specialists in the inquiry into the cause of death process. This study highlights that the involvement of experts significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of conclusions drawn during inquests [ 16 ].…”