Thirty six law students interning with the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission visited the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at AIIMS Bhopal for an academic exposure session. The aim of the visit was to familiarize the students with the role of forensic medicine in human rights protection and the legal process.
The session began with an introductory address by Prof. (Dr.) Arneet Arora, Head of the Department, who discussed the importance of post-mortem procedures, legal protocols, documentation, and reporting. He also shared that under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh, the department has set up an Analytical Toxicology Lab and a Forensic Histopathology Lab, and has strengthened its operations through SOPs-based workflows.
Assistant Professor Dr. Niranjan Sahu detailed the department’s functioning, coordination procedures, and the ethical considerations involved in forensic investigations. The students participated in an interactive session with Dr. Suhail Alikkal and Dr. Deeksha Chhabra, supported by Aswini, Arun, and Dr. Tapesh. During their visit, they toured several critical facilities, including the Forensic Museum, Analytical Toxicology Unit, Forensic Histopathology Lab, Cold Storage, Autopsy Room, Radiology Unit, and Report Writing Section. The students observed vital forensic processes such as body identification, evidence collection, infection control, and the Chain of Custody.
The law students praised the visit, describing it as highly informative.
The students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to observe firsthand the crucial intersection of law, medicine, and human rights in forensic investigations. Many of them shared that the experience deepened their understanding of how forensic medicine plays a critical role in upholding justice, especially in legal cases involving human rights violations.
They particularly found the practical demonstrations of autopsy procedures, evidence handling, and the documentation process invaluable for their future careers in law.