HYDERABAD: Forensic Medicine doctors have welcomed the idea of an online system to track post-mortem examination (PME) reports. At present, doctors jot down their findings manually after conducting a post-mortem or other medico-legal examinations such as estimation of age. At a meeting between DGP M Mahendar Reddy and chief secretary SK Joshi, participants felt the online system would help in avoiding delays in releasing PME reports.
In a day, 10 to 20 autopsies are performed at tertiary government hospitals. Let alone PME reports, at times, the doctors do not file preliminary findings too, which are instrumental in helping police probe the angle of crime. “A forensic doctor is supposed to file preliminary findings on the same day as performing autopsy. However, due to staff crunch, one doctor might be performing the duties consecutively for 2-3 days, causing a delay in filing the findings.” sources said. Forensic doctors said that the online system should link all departments related to investigating cases including police, forensic science laboratory and mortuaries. Such a system exists in Punjab and Haryana.
“If it is introduced, there would be no need for the police to visit mortuaries or medical colleges to meet forensic doctors to collect or remind about PME reports. The system will have a detailed record on the number of times police personnel reminded a doctor about PME report. Anyone can find the status of the report. Besides, the doctors don’t have to write which cuts down time taken by many hours,” sources said. Besides, there were complaints that the handwriting of doctors in PME reports was not legible and police personnel had to call the doctors for clarifications.
‘Mortuaries should have adequate staff’
The doctors stressed that mortuaries in all hospitals should be provided adequate number of mortuary staff and technicians who embalm bodies.