The objectives of medico-logical autopsy are:
To determine the identification of person
To determine:
The cause of death whether natural or unnatural.
If unnatural whether suicide, homicide or accident.
In all cases but more important in homicide to collect and documents, trace evidence of any left by the accused on the victim.
To identify the weapons, person or poison responsible for death.
To estimate the approximate time once death.
In case of mutilated, fragmented or skeletal remains to determine, if they are human and if human, the probable cause of death and approximate time since death.
Essential Requirements
The essential requirements of medicolegal autopsy are:
It should be performed by a registered licensed medical practitioner.
The examination should be meticulous and complete.
All information must be preserved by written records.
From the date so obtained, the medical officer should provide a factual and objective medical report for the law enforcement agencies.