Back to Table Of Contents
PART A -- POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS
1. Effect of decomposition.-- The questions to be determined by a post-mortem examination vary in different cases, and the possibility of determining them effectually is not in every case equally dependent on the stage which the process of putrefaction has reached.
Thus, in death from drowning, strangulation and various diseases, questions respecting the appearance of flesh tissues, and the amount of blood in parts require to be considered, and these can only be determined soon after death, and before putrefaction has made much progress.
But it would be quite possible to determine the existence or absence of a wound or severe bruises of soft parts, even *[if] decomposition were considerably advanced; and injuries of bones, pregnancy, presence of foreign bodies, metallic poisoning, and some profound organic diseases, are ascertainable long after death.
2. Duty of Medical Officer to conduct post-mortem examination when nothing is known about causes.-- In each case, the circumstances, so far as they are known, respecting the death and the discovery of the body, which are communicated by the Police, will enable the Medical officer to form an opinion as to whether it would be possible by a post-mortem examination to throw any light on the cause of death; and wherever such possibility exists, or whenever nothing is known, it is his duty to make as full an examination as possible.
3. Examination of body when advisable for examination.-- These considerations should guide a Magistrate in determining on the propriety or otherwise of exerting the power given to him by law of ordering the exhumation of a body. In cases of doubt the Magistrate should, if possible, consult a medical officer before passing such an order.
4. ***[Omitted].
5. ***[Omitted].
6. Rules about the deposition of medical witnesses and reports of Chemical Examiners.-- Attention is invited to the special rules of evidence regarding the depositions of medical witnesses and the reports of Chemical Examiners contained in sections 509 and 510 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
LHC - Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam - Lahore - Pakistan
Computer Cell, Lahore High Court.
Comments Or Suggestions to webmaster@lhc.gov.pk
For Further Information: info@lhc.gov.pk