A PROJECT REPORT

ON

“FORENSIC PATHOLOGY”

B.B.A. LL.B. 10th SEMESTER

Session – 2016-2021

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Mrs. PREETI AHLAWAT SHRUTI SHARMA

ASSN PROFF. REGNO:46116210006

 Declaration
I , Shruti Sharma student of SRM University ,Haryana ;hereby declare that the project work
entitled is a record of an original work “FORENSIC PATHOLOGY” submitted to the Law
Department is a record of an original work done by me under guidance of Mrs Preeti Ahlawat.

I further declare that the work reported is this project has not been submitted and will not be
submitted, either in part or in full. This project work is my own work. The matter embodied in
this project report has not been submitted to any other University or Institution for the award of
degree. This project has not been presented in this manner earlier. This information is purely of
my academic interest.

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 Certificate

This is to certify that Shruti Sharma of B.B.A. LL.B. of SRM University has successfully
carried out investigatory project “FORENSIC PATHOLOGY” under the supervision of Mrs.
Preeti Ahlawat.

All the works related to the project is done by the candidate herself. The approach towards the
subject has been sincere.

The original research work was carried out by her under my supervision. On the basis of the
declaration made by her, I recommend this project report for evaluation.

Mrs. PREETI AHLAWAT

ASSISTANT PROFF

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 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my Asst Prof. Ms. Rashmi Kinger, who
gave me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic “FORENSIC
PATHOLOGY”, which also helped me in doing research and I came to know about so many
new things that I am really thankful to her. Secondly I would also like to thank my friends who
helped me a lot in finalizing this project within the limited time frame.

Shruti Sharma

B.B.A. LL.B.

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 Table of Content
1. Declaration……………………………………………………………….(i)
2. Certificate………………………………………………………………..(ii)
3. Acknowledgement……………………………………………………….(iii)
4. Introduction………………………………………………………………1-2
5. Definition………………………………………………………………....3
6. Scope of Forensic Pathology……………………………………………..4
7. Case Report………………………………………………………………5
8. Duties of Forensic Pathologists…………………………………………..6-7
9. Investigation of Death……………………………………………………8
10. Contemporary Forensic Pathology………………………………………9-10
11. Importance of Autopsy………………………………………………….11
12. Conclusion………………………………………………………………12

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Introduction
Due to the development in the criminal justice system, there has been an extraordinary diffusion
in crime investigation techniques as far as the scientific infusion is concerned, as observed in the
previous decade. The use of scientific tools and techniques in crime detection by police officials,
identification of alleged criminals /offenders helps in establishing a crucial link between the
judiciary and police force. Further, they take account of these physical pieces of evidence that
are consistent and determine the accuracy of the innocence or guilt of the criminal/offender.

Forensic science is a discipline that functions within the parameters of the legal system and may
have a remarkable contribution in supporting justice in crime investigation and other serious
violations. Its purpose is to provide guidance to those conducting criminal investigations through
the recognition and retrieval of evidence at crime scenes and accurate information on which they
can rely on the resolution of criminal and civil disputes. Crime includes murder, rape, accident-
related incidents, undisclosed persons, displaced persons, fraud-related cases, and forgery.

In India, statements and witnesses are used as a source of evidence, and those who are found
guilty are then prosecuted. Forensic science services could, therefore, be the most important
crime-fighting instrument for law enforcement.

In cases of suspicious death, a forensic pathologist is charged with determining the cause and
manner of death. In the United States, each state has its own regulations that govern
what constitutes a forensic case, and each has a system to accomplish the tasks of
forensic pathology. Many states have a medical examiner system, in which a city or county will
have a chief medical examiner, who must be a physician. The chief medical examiner will, in
turn, have a number of associate medical examiners who perform the actual duties of the forensic
pathologist. Other states have a coroner system, in which the chief officer may not be a physician
but employs forensic pathologists to carry out the necessary duties.

Forensic pathologists have three major duties to perform. They are called to crime scenes to
make a preliminary examination of the body and perhaps an initial determination of the
postmortem interval (the time since death). They will take charge of the body and direct the
trained death scene investigators to carefully prepare and remove the body and transport it to the
morgue for later analysis.

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Forensic pathologists determine the cause and manner of death by use of the postmortem
examination, or autopsy. The autopsy entails careful dissection of the body to search for injury
patterns, disease, or poisoning that may point to the ultimate cause of death. In that activity, the
forensic pathologist will work closely with forensic toxicologists, who take tissue samples and
determine what, if any, substances may be in the body that could have caused or contributed to
death. Forensic pathologists also work closely with criminal investigators so as to get a complete
picture of the circumstances surrounding the death. At times, the forensic pathologist may
consult with forensic anthropologists or entomologists in helping to reach relevant conclusions
about the cause and manner of death.

When a person dies, a physician must complete and sign a death certificate. In all forensic cases,
the certificate must list a manner of death. The possible manners of death are homicide,
accident, suicide, and natural causes. In some states, one of those four must be listed. In other
states, the pathologist is also permitted to enter “undetermined” or a variant. Although the
determination may be straightforward in a normal case, it can be problematic in a death of
suspicious origin.

The final duty of the forensic pathologist is to render opinions in court as to the cause and
manner of death. Medical examiners and coroners are called to court quite often and must be
able to present their testimony without shocking the jury. Many times, judges will limit or not
admit gory photos of the deceased for fear of prejudicing the jury.

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DEFINITION

FORENSIC

• Forensic science (often known as forensics) is the scientific method of gathering and examining
evidence.

PATHOLOGY

• The study of the essential nature of disease.

FORENSIC PATHOLOGY

• Forensic pathology is the study of injuries or disease in order to determine the cause of death.

• Application of the knowledge of pathology/medicine to aid in the administration of justice.

The branch of pathology that deals with the examination of a corpse to determine the cause of
death is called Forensic Pathology. It involves the deduction of facts admissible in the court of
law by collecting and analyzing medical samples. For example, a forensic pathologist can
examine a wound to identify the weapon used to cause that. Therefore, forensic pathology helps
draw crucial inferences on whether the death is natural, criminal or accidental.

FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST

• Forensic Pathologists are specialists in medical field concerned with pathology that focuses on
the investigation of sudden or unexpected death of victims.

• A specialist doctor who has knowledge and special skill in forensic pathology.

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SCOPE OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGY

What is the role of Forensic Pathologist?

1. Confirm death has occurred. (No pulse or heartbeat, No respiration, Pupils fixed and
dilated.)
2. Estimate time since death. (Body or rectal temperature, Rigor mortis)
3. Ensure positive identification (Fingerprint, Dental data, DNA , clothing)
4. Determine cause of death. (Gunshot, Blunt force trauma, Heart Attack)
5. Form an opinion sitive identificaon possible manner of death through reconstruction of
event. (Natural, Accidental / misadventure Suicidal, Homicidal)
6. Do forensic examination of the body. (autopsy to provide an opportunity for other issues
raised by the death to be addressed, such as the collection of trace evidence or
determining the identity of the deceased)
7. Record and interpret injuries and natural disease if any. (Type of injury, Fatal injury,
Defence injury, Age of injury )
8. Collect evidence to give to criminalists, toxicologists, or others for specialist analysis
9. Act as an expert witness in civil or criminal proceedings.

Forensic pathology deals mostly with the pathology of intentional (homicidal and suicidal) and
unintentional (accidental) trauma or injury, in cases where bodily damage may be the major
finding and in deaths from natural causes in cases when the cause of death cannot be certified by
a physician. In addition, deaths from occupational exposure to hazardous materials and industrial
deaths may be of medicolegal significance. The primary role of the forensic pathologist is to
determine the cause of death based on a detailed and complete autopsy and to confirm if the
cause of death is in accordance with the manner of death as proposed by the investigating
agencies enquiring into sudden, suspicious, and nonnatural deaths.

In cases involving mechanical trauma/injuries, the forensic pathologist deals mostly with the
examination of the deceased or injured person to determine the nature and cause of the
injuries/death. The role of the forensic pathologist is vital in cases of alleged medical negligence,
sexual assault, domestic violence, and torture. In criminal investigations, in addition to the
examination of the victim, the forensic pathologist may be involved in the examination of the

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accused/suspect, the scene of the crime/death, and the collection of evidentiary material. Thus, a
forensic pathologist plays a key role in criminal cases as well as in civil cases mostly involving
insurance and other claims. Besides, a forensic pathologist has to attend courts of law as an
expert witness, provide valuable opinion on the cases, and thus, help in the administration of
justice.

CASE REPORT

Case Study: Lonnie Ted Binion.

On September 17, 1998, paramedics found Ted Binion dead in his Las Vegas home. An empty
bottle of Xanax, a very addictive prescription drug, lay next to him. Along with this, and a
hysterical interview with his girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, led the police to believe his death was a
drug overdose. However, Binion's autopsy and other evidence in the case later suggested
otherwise. Binion had a stash of silver in the Las Vegas desert, silver worth about seven million
dollars. A man named Rick Tabish was arrested for digging up the silver and selling it. As it
turned out, Tabish was Sandy Murphy's lover, and deeply in debt. The Binion autopsy revealed a
large amount of Xanax in his tissues, and when the medical examiner listed his cause of death as
suicidal, the family of Binion asked for a forensic pathologist to consult on the case. The
evidence and the information from the autopsy lead the forensic pathologist to a completley
different conclusion. Hemorrhages in the eyes suggested someone had suffocated Binion. There
were also marks on his wrists, which might have been from handcuffs, marks on his chest that
looked like the buttons of his shirt had been pressed into his skin with some force, and linear
abrasions around his lips. This evidence pointed to a method of suffocation called "burking". if
this cause of death were true, it would suggest Sandy Murphy had staged the crime scene to
make it look like Ted Binion committed suicide. On May 19, 2000, after hearing testimony from
both the medical examiner and the forensic pathologist, a jury convicted Murphy and Tabish of
first-degree murder.

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Duties of Forensic Pathologist

Forensic pathology is an application of medical jurisprudence. A forensic pathologist is

a medical doctor who has completed training in anatomical pathology and has subsequently
specialized in forensic pathology. The requirements for becoming a "fully qualified" forensic
pathologist vary from country to country. Some of the different requirements are discussed
below.

The forensic pathologist performs autopsies/postmortem examinations to determine the cause of

death. The autopsy report contains an opinion about the following:

 The pathological process, injury, or disease that directly results in or initiates a series of
events that lead to a person's death (also called the mechanism of death), such as
a bullet wound to the head, exsanguination caused by a stab wound, manual or
ligature strangulation, myocardial infarction resulting from coronary artery disease, etc.)

 The manner of death, the circumstances surrounding the cause of death, which, in most
jurisdictions, include the following:

o Homicide

o Accidental

o Natural

o Suicide

o Undetermined

The autopsy also provides an opportunity for other issues raised by the death to be addressed,
such as the collection of trace evidence or determining the identity of the deceased. The forensic
pathologist examines and documents wounds and injuries, at autopsy, at the scene of a crime and
occasionally in a clinical setting, such as rape investigation or deaths in custody.

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Forensic pathologists collect and examine tissue specimens under the microscope (histology) to
identify the presence or absence of natural disease and other microscopic findings such as
asbestos bodies in the lungs or gunpowder particles around a gunshot wound. They collect and
interpret toxicological specimens of body tissues and fluids to determine the chemical cause of
accidental overdoses or deliberate poisonings.

Forensic pathologists work closely with the medico-legal authority for the area concerned with
the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths: the coroner (England and Wales), procurator
fiscal (Scotland), or coroner or medical examiner (United States). They serve as expert witnesses
in courts of law testifying in civil or criminal law cases. In an autopsy, the forensic pathologist is
often assisted by an autopsy/mortuary technician (sometimes called a diener in the US).

Forensic physicians, sometimes referred to as "forensic medical examiners" or "police surgeons"

(in the UK until recently), are medical doctors trained in the examination of, and provision of
medical treatment to, living victims of assault, including sexual assault, and individuals who find
themselves in police custody. Many forensic physicians in the UK practice clinical forensic
medicine part-time, and they also practice family medicine or another medical specialty.

In the United Kingdom, membership of the Royal College of Pathologists is not a prerequisite of
appointment as a coroner's medical expert. Doctors in the UK who are not forensic pathologists
or pathologists are allowed to perform medicolegal autopsies, as the wording of the Coroners and
Justice Act 2009, which merely stipulates a "registered medical practitioner": anyone on the
General Medical Council register.

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Investigation of Death
Deaths where there is an unknown cause and those considered unnatural are investigated. In
most jurisdictions this is done by a "forensic pathologist", coroner, medical examiner, or
hybrid medical examiner-coroner offices.

Terminology is not consistent across jurisdictions

In some jurisdictions, the title of "Medical Examiner" is used by a non-physician, elected official
involved in medicolegal death investigation. In others, the law requires the medical examiner to
be a physician, pathologist, or forensic pathologist.

Similarly, the title "coroner" is applied to both physicians and non-physicians. Historically,
coroners were not all physicians (most often serving primarily as the town mortician). However,
in some jurisdictions the topic of "Coroner" is exclusively used by physicians.

Canadian coroners

In Canada, there was a mix of coroner and medical examiner systems, depending on the province
or territory. In Ontario, coroners are licensed physicians, usually but not exclusively family
physicians. In Quebec, there is a mix of medical and non-medical coroners, whereas in British
Columbia, there is predominantly a non-physician coroner system. Alberta and Nova Scotia are
examples of ME systems.

Coroners and medical examiners in the United States

In the United States, a coroner is typically an elected public official in a particular geographic

jurisdiction who investigates and certifies deaths. The vast majority of coroners lack a Doctor of
Medicine degree and the amount of medical training that they have received is highly variable,
depending on their profession (e.g. law enforcement, judges, funeral directors, emergency
medical technicians, nurses).

In contrast, a medical examiner is typically a physician who holds the degree of Doctor of

Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Ideally, a medical examiner has completed both a
pathology residency and a fellowship in forensic pathology. In some jurisdictions, a medical
examiner must be both a doctor and a lawyer, with additional training in forensic pathology.

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Contemporary Forensic Pathology

Forensic pathology is practiced by those in general with a background in histopathology or

anatomical pathology. The forensic pathologist's work is directed to assisting in predominantly
judicial or legal processes by establishing manner, time, and cause of death. Their pathological
skills must be supported by an ability to integrate the medical aspects of the workload with
toxicological, scientific, and legal issues. Forensic pathologists are assigned a variety of names
around the world, for example, legal medicine specialists, medical examiners – but all are
primarily involved in the investigation of death – by the use of autopsy and associated
procedures. Forensic pathologists may work in academic departments, state or government
institutions, or independently. It is to be expected that their work and the reporting of their work
is and is seen to be independent of any body or organization, whether police or governmental,
and free from political interference. A forensic pathologist may be expected to have special
knowledge in the following areas: anatomy, cytopathology, hematology, microbiology,
immunology, chemical pathology, and toxicology. Many forensic pathologists around the world
will also have special relationships with public health, occupational health, and community
health issues, reflecting for some, the historical origins of the workload. Many forensic
pathologists will also have workloads relating to the clinical aspects of forensic medicine.

Immunoassays in Forensic Pathology

Forensic pathology involves the diagnosis of cause of death, determination of time of death,

estimation of degree and properties of injuries, etc. Analysis of morphological changes and
pathogenesis induced by external factors or internal diseases are also important issues in this
field. However, it is sometimes very difficult to solve such problems only by autopsy findings
and attempts have been made to develop helpful examinations for forensic pathological
diagnosis. For this purpose, proteins/hormones as clinically useful markers have also been
utilized in this field; many authors have determined quantitatively such substances in autopsy
materials using commercially available immunoassay kits and have discussed the results
obtained.

We must pay attention, however, to the fact that the nature of autopsy materials is quite different
from those used in clinical medicine. A blood sample obtained at autopsy is sometimes

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extremely hemolyzed and its supernatant is neither serum nor plasma, because postmortem
intensive fibrinolysis following blood coagulation had already occurred in the corpse at autopsy.
Body fluids other than blood/urine or extract of tissue-homogenate cannot normally be
considered for clinical use. Most important is that many kinds of proteins are contained in
extremely large amounts in autopsy material, which may be available for forensic examination
and can by no means be expected to be used in clinical laboratory medicine. Such samples can
cause very strong suppression of necessary immunoreactions in the assay system established for
clinical use. This means that the values determined may not be comparable if different
immunoassay kits are used, even if the same protein is assayed. Besides, the value for a
postmortem sample may be false if its assay is completely carried out in a clinical laboratory
where no one knows about the particular nature of the autopsy material. This is the probable
reason that some conclusions obtained from different studies on the same substance are
sometimes contradictory. In spite of such circumstances, the attempted quantitative analysis has
been reported as useful in most of the earlier studies.

Many morphological studies have also been reported in this field. In these studies, several
antigens are stained by immunohistochemistry and the diagnostic value of the findings is
evaluated according to issues such as cause of death, nature of injury, and postmortem interval.
In these studies, commercially available antibodies have been used.

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The Importance of Autopsies

Forensic pathology is increasingly relied upon by judicial systems, even in countries with strong
religious and cultural opposition to the performance of autopsies. There are very few, if any,
countries in the world where no autopsies for forensic purposes are performed. The numbers and
types of death investigated by autopsy vary considerably from country to country. While the
disinclination on cultural or religious grounds to perform more autopsies than are absolutely
necessary must be respected, this must be accompanied by caution.

In many countries, major reliance is placed on the external examination of a body by a local
medical officer while investigating the cause of death. While this is clearly a reasonable
screening process, it is only that without autopsies, there will be many cases where it will not be
possible to say why death occurred: it will not be possible to disentangle and distinguish, say,
between natural and accidental deaths or suicides and homicides. Even with autopsies, some
cases remain enigmatic. There must be acknowledgment that coming to correct conclusions
about the cause and manner of death based simply on history and external examination is a
process which is inherently and substantially flawed. Judicial decisions based on conclusions
about the cause and manner of death reached without the benefit of an autopsy will have a high
rate of error.

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 Conclusion

In the Indian case, greater focus was put on the use of these technologies in criminal
investigations and trials. Commissions appointed on criminal justice reforms have affirmed that
the introduction of crime detection technologies will enable the system to work efficiently. The
related laws have been changed from time to time to make room for the use of forensic
technologies in investigating and prosecuting crime. And yet, it can be argued that the
regulations that need to be revised have current flaws. Also, due to their conservative approach,
the courts are reluctant to rely on empirical evidence, or other inherent flaws in the evidence
presented in court, which prevent them from relying entirely on it. Criminal justice system’s
primary motto is to have equal justice. The forensic proof is, no doubt, more credible than eye
testimony.

Forensic pathologists have three major duties to perform. They are called to crime scenes to
make a preliminary examination of the body and perhaps an initial determination of the
postmortem interval (the time since death). They will take charge of the body and direct the
trained death scene investigators to carefully prepare and remove the body and transport it to the
morgue for later analysis.

Forensic pathologists determine the cause and manner of death by use of the postmortem
examination, or autopsy. Forensic pathologists are physicians who specialize in pathology
through a residency that may extend three to four years beyond medical school. An additional
one-year residency in forensic pathology will enable a pathologist to become certified in forensic
pathology. In complicated death cases, it is easy for an untrained pathologist to make a mistake
in determining the cause and manner of death, which may lead to a miscarriage of justice. It is
therefore important to encourage pathologists to become certified if they are going to be doing
forensic work.

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