Explore the vital aspects of death from a medical perspective, including modes of death, procedures for postmortem examination, and their significance in forensic investigations.
Death:
In medical science, death is defined as the permanent cessation of vital organ functions. It involves irreversible stoppage of all physiological activities. The study of death is known as Thanatology.
Types of Death
- Somatic Death: Complete and irreversible loss of consciousness, respiration, and circulation.
- Cellular Death: Gradual breakdown of body cells after somatic death.
Key Facts
- Declaration of Death: Based on irreversible loss of consciousness, respiration, and circulation.
- Certification: Issued by a medical professional including cause, time, and manner of death.
- Time of Death: Estimated by examining postmortem changes.
Modes of Death:
1. Coma
Coma is a state of deep unconsciousness due to failure of the central nervous system. Common causes include:
- Head injury
- Hemorrhage
- Cerebral toxins
2. Syncope
It occurs when the heart stops functioning effectively, reducing blood supply to the brain. Causes include:
- Heart disease
- Cardiac poison
- Damage to major arteries
3. Asphyxia
Derived from the Greek word for “pulselessness,” asphyxia is a condition where the body lacks oxygen and cannot expel carbon dioxide effectively.
Postmortem Examination:
A postmortem or autopsy is a thorough examination of a body after death to determine the cause and timing of death. It is mandated particularly in suspicious or unexplained death scenarios.
Guidelines
- Conducted only by medical practitioners
- Requires official requisition from authority
- Performed in daylight at a mortuary
- Video recording mandatory in police custody deaths
Objectives of Postmortem Examination:
- Identify the deceased using body marks, tattoos, etc.
- Determine age and sex via skeletal and dental analysis
- Ascertain the cause and manner of death
- Estimate the time since death
- Document any injuries
- Assist in suspected infanticide cases
Key Takeaways
- Death is medically defined by cessation of vital functions.
- Modes of death include coma, syncope, and asphyxia.
- Postmortem helps determine the cause, timing, and manner of death.
- It provides vital information in criminal and civil cases.
