Autopsy or necropsy means- postmortem exmination of a body.

Definition –
Autopsy* refers to the systematic examination of a dead person for medical, legal
and/or scientific purposes.
It is of three types: i. Academic: Dissection carried by students of anatomy.
ii. Pathological, hospital or clinical: Done by patho logists to diagnose the
cause of death or to confirm a diagnosis. Physicians cannot order these
autopsies without the consent signed by the next of kin.
iii. Medico-legal: Type of scientific examination of a dead body carried out
under the laws of the State for the protection of rights of citizens. The basic
purpose of this autopsy is to establish the cause and manner of death.
Objectives –
(1) To find out the cause of death, whether natural or unnatural. This is done by detecting,
describing and recording any external or internal injuries, abnormalities and diseases.
(2) To find out how the injuries occurred.
(3) To find out the manner of death, whether accidental, suicidal or homicidal.
(4) To find out the time since death.
(5) To establish identity when not known.
(6) To collect physical evidence in order to identify the object causing death and to identify
the criminal.
(7) To retain relevant organs and tissues as evidence.
(8) In newborn infants to determine the question of livebi1th and viability.

EXHUMATION: Exhumation is the legal digging out of an already buried body legally
from the grave. There is no time limit for exhumation in India.
Autopsies are performed on exhumed bodies:
(1) In criminal cases, such as homicide, suspected homicide disguised as suicide or
other types of death, suspicious poisoning, death as a result of criminal abortion and criminal
negligence.
(2) In civil cases, such as accidental death claim, insurance, workmen's compensation
claim, liability for professional negligence, survivorship and inheritance claims or disputed
identity.
Authorisation:
The body is exhumed only when, there is a written order from the Executive
Magistrate. The body can be exhumed by any government doctor.
 Death – complete irreversible cessation of respiration, circulation and functions of
brain (Bishop’s Triad of life)
The signs of death appear in the following order.
(I) Immediate (somatic death).
(1) Insensibility and loss of voluntary power.
(2) Cessation of respiration.
(3) Cessation of circulation.
(II) Early (cellular death).
( 4) Pallor and loss of elasticity of skit'!.
(5) Changes in the eye.
(6) Primary flaccidity of muscles.
(7) Cooling of the body.
(8) Postmortem lividity.
(9) Rigor mortis.
(III) Late (decomposition and decay).
(10) Putrefaction.
(11) Adipocere formation.
(12) Mummification.

Injury: An injury is any harm, whatever illegally caused to any person in body, mind,
reputation or property (Sec. 44, I.P.C.).
Medically a wound or injury is a break of the natural continuity of any of the tissues
of the living body.
Mechanical injuries (wounds) are injuries produced by physical violence.
Trauma is an injury inflicted by force on a living tissue.
Classification of injuries :
1. Medical :
(I) Mechanical or physical Injuries:
(A) Due to blunt force: (I) Abrasions. (2) Contusions.
(3) Lacerations. (4) Fractures and dislocations.
(B) Due to sharp force: (1) Incised wounds. (2) Chop wounds. (3) Stab
wounds. (C) Firearms: (1) Firearm wounds. (2) Blast injuries.
(II) Thermal Injuries: (1) Due to cold: (a) Frostbite. (b) Trench foot. (c) Immersion
foot.
(2) Due to heat: (a) Burns. (b) Scalds.
(III) Chemical Injuries: (I) Corrosive acids. (b) Corrosive alkalis.
(IV) Miscellaneous: Electricity, lightning, X-rays, radioactive substances, etc.
(V) Explosions.
2. Legal: (1) Simple. (2) Grievous. (3) Dangerous.
3. Medicolegal : (1) Suicide. (2) Homicide. (3) Accidental
 (4) Fabricated. (5) Self-inflicted. (6) Defence. (7) Ante mortem or post
mortem.
Hanging (self-suspension) is that form of asphyxia which is caused by suspension of the
body by a ligature which encircles the neck, the constricting force being the weight of the
body.
Classification:
(I) Depending on degree of suspension:
(a) Complete hanging: Body is completely suspended without any part of the body
touching the ground.
(b) 'Partial hanging': the bodies is partially suspended, the toes or feet touching the
ground, or is in a sitting, kneeling, lying down, prone or any other posture, with only the
head and chest off the ground.
(II) Depending on position of the knot:
(a) Typical hanging: The ligature runs from the midline above the thyroid cartilage
symmetrically upward on both sides of the neck to the occipital region and the knot is over
the central part of back of neck.
(b) Atypical Hanging: The knot is anywhere other than on the occiput, i.e. on the right or
left side or front of the neck. –
Cause of death –
1. Asphyxia
2. Venous congestion
3. Combined Asphyxia and venous congestion
4. Cerebral Anemia
5. Reflex vagal inhibition
6. Fracture or dislocation of cervical vertebra
Strangulation is that form of asphyxia which is caused from constriction of the neck by a
ligature without suspending the body.
Its types : (1) strangulation by a ligature, and
(2) manual strangulation or throttling.
(3) Garroting.
(4) Mugging.
(5) Bansdola