ABSTRACT
Objectives: In this article, we report our observations as well as the innovations which were adapted in the resource-limited settings which are present in most parts of the country. The standard protocols were adopted for complete COVID-19 autopsies that were conducted. Method(s): The present retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Amritsar. The medicolegal autopsies were conducted completely in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. In the medicolegal cases, complete autopsies were conducted, where the investigating officers did not forgo the autopsy. A total of ten COVID-positive autopsies were conducted from July 2020 to August 2021. Result(s): Gross findings of various organs during autopsy include that of lungs showing relatively unremarkable lungs with mild edema and consolidation, brain showing edema, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, pancreas showing necrotic and hemorrhagic changes, and kidneys flea-bitten and were contracted. Conclusion(s): Although a complete autopsy is desired to provide the best possible understanding of the disease process, its variants, such as core biopsies and echopsies, can be taken up as safer alternatives, especially in resource-limited centres. Experience, preparation, and experience are the significant vital aspects which help in managing the COVID-19-positive autopsy. The institution needs to develop guidelines as well as standard operating procedures for the smooth and safe conduct of autopsies in COVID-19 dead bodies. Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd.
ABSTRACT
The outset of the year 2020 witnessed the outbreak of an epidemic known as CoVid-19 or novel coronavirus pandemic. Since then, the number of confirmed cases of this infection had increased rapidly all over the world. Autopsy provides relevant knowledge about the identification and determination of the cause of death in forensic medicine. Different non-invasive and minimally invasive approaches over the traditional autopsy are introduced into forensic science to deal with challenges presented by COVID-19 pandemic where performing invasive autopsy is not feasible. Virtopsy is a multi-disciplinary science. 'Virtopsy' or Virtual Autopsy aims at new imaging techniques in forensic pathology to facilitate the present postmortem examination. It offers advantages over invasive 'body opening' autopsy. Virtopsy consists of body volume documentation, optical scanning with imaging techniques such as Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan coupled with minimally invasive approaches such as postmortem biopsies. The importance of Virtopsy is noteworthy in post mortem examination of COVID-19 patients. Virtopsy has a broad spectrum of uses in forensic medicine, forensic odontology, firearm injury and road traffic injury etc. Hence, it can be used either independently or as an alternative to conventional autopsy. The present study highlights the importance of Virtopsy in postmortem examination and its contribution in forensic science. It also provides scope for future research in the subdisciplines of forensic science. © 2021, Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. All rights reserved.