Role of a Medical Officer

Medical Officer

• A magistrate sends the dead body for a post mortem after death occurs in custody.
• A medical officer is called to the cell to examine a seriously ill prisoner and finds him already dead.
• Medical officer may be called during the exhumation of a body
• In case of prison doctors, when he is called to certify the fitness of the prisoner either before, during or after the torture.

1. Injuries: Especially blunt injuries (by fists, legs or weapons).
2. Rarely, when police outnumber the offender leading to his death due to:
   • Traumatic asphyxia
   Prisoner
   • Exhaustion and fear
   • Vasovagal shock as in
   • Arm locks
   • Neck holds – bar arm control
   • Carotid sleeper.
3. Due to complications resulting from alcohol abuse as:
   • Acute alcohol poisoning
   • Aspiration of vomit and choking on gastric contents
   • Accidents while under influence.
4. Suicides in custody.
5. Purely natural death.

• When called to remain present for an exhumation, familiarize yourself with the procedures involved beforehand.
• Do not get involved in any kind of torture yourself.
• When a dead body of an inmate is sent for post mortem make sure that the inquest is from a magistrate.

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