Forensic Pathology: A Critical Link Between Death and the Legal System

From ancient Ayurvedic texts to AI-powered autopsies, forensic pathology has evolved into a cornerstone of criminal investigation, decoding the silent testimony of the dead to uphold justice.

Forensic pathology is a specialist medical discipline that investigates the cause and manner of death via the examination of deceased individuals. It is essential to criminal investigations, particularly regarding suspicious or inexplicable deaths. By analysing the body and associated evidence precisely, forensic pathologists provide crucial insights that help law enforcement agencies solve crimes and deliver justice.

Forensic pathology in India has deep historical roots, tracing back to ancient Ayurvedic writings that touched upon post-mortem examinations and bodily injuries. The discipline was formalised during the British colonial era, when structured medicolegal autopsies and documentation practices were introduced. These developments also contributed to modern dactylography (fingerprint analysis), laying the foundation for contemporary forensic science in India. Globally, forensic pathology emerged as a formal discipline in the 19th century. Jean Lobstein, considered one of the pioneers, became the first professor of pathology at the University of Strassburg. Its roots, however, lie farther back in Renaissance Europe, when Antonio Benivieni invented systematic autopsies as a means of comprehending illness and death. The Constitutio Criminalis Carolina, which required autopsy for suspicious deaths, strengthened the legal recognition of forensic pathology.

In India, forensic pathology has played a pivotal role in several high-profile criminal cases. The Jessica Lal murder case of 1999, the Sheena Bora murder in 2012, and the Aarushi Talwar-Hemraj Banjade double murder in 2008 are notable examples where forensic pathology was crucial. Despite post-mortem reports indicating fatal blunt-force trauma and throat slitting, some of these cases remain unresolved due to investigative shortcomings. More recently, in the 2023 Shraddha Walkar case, forensic experts used DNA profiling and tool-mark analysis to identify dismembered remains and confirm it was a case of homicide. Similarly, in the Priyadarshini Mattoo murder case of 1996, forensic evidence such as striation marks on a helmet became conclusive after being investigated by the Delhi High Court.

In recent years, technological advancements have revolutionised forensic pathology. Postmortem Imaging, also known as Virtopsy, uses 3D virtual autopsies to examine bodies in a noninvasive way. Advanced histopathology and immunohistochemistry techniques allow detailed cellular and molecular analysis of tissues to detect subtle pathological changes. Digital autopsy platforms integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) streamline workflows, reduce human error, and accelerate report generation. Recent advancements in forensic pathology include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of autopsy analyses. AI models are being developed to assist in age estimation, gender determination, and identification of injury patterns, thereby augmenting the capabilities of forensic pathologists.

Artificial intelligence, like ForensixTM and other tools, uses biochemical and environmental factors to estimate time-of-death intervals. Automation of workflow in digital autopsy platforms reduces human error by streamlining the creation of reports.

Several prominent Indian forensic pathologists have contributed significantly to the field. Dr. Sudhir Gupta of AIIMS led the forensic investigation in the Sheena Bora case, while Dr. R.K. Sharma (Retired, AIIMS) played a major role in the Jessica Lal case. Experts like Dr. V.V. Pillay from the Toxicology Research Centre, Mumbai, and Dr. R. Badhe from the Chennai Forensic Lab are renowned for their expert testimony in narcotics and sexual assault cases, respectively.

Forensic pathology remains an indispensable pillar of criminal investigation in India and worldwide. Its evolution from ancient Ayurvedic texts to cutting-edge AI-powered digital autopsies highlights the dynamic nature of this field. By combining scientific rigour with technological innovation, forensic pathology continues to advance the cause of justice, ensuring that truth prevails even in the most complex cases. "When applied with integrity, science is the ally of justice," the Supreme Court noted.

(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic advisor to the Assam government. Phukan is a student of National University of Forensic Science, Guwahati.)