Post-mortem most crucial evidence in murder, unnatural death cases: legal experts
The legal experts have taken the allegations of tampering of Sunanda Pushkar’s post mortem report with utmost seriousness saying any such possibility could change the course of the ongoing inquest proceedings. It said that the post-mortem report is the most crucial evidence in cases of unnatural death or murder and the findings of the report are specific and to the point.
The post-mortem on Sunanda Pushkar revealed that she died of a sudden unnatural death. Findings of the Central Forensic Science laboratory (CFSl) report were not enough to register a criminal case. However with the recent mystery surrounding the post- mortem report, senior lawyers opined that the allegations of tampering should be dealt with seriousness as the autopsy report is the most important evidence in the case.
Senior lawyer Pinky Anand opined that the most essential featured in finding of the cause of death is the autopsy report. “The report is the only report which reveals if there is any foul play or not. The cause of death whether accidental or a murder can only be established via this,” Anand said.
Noted criminal lawyer KK Manan too voiced similar opinion saying post-mortem report is the only report which proves whether it is a murder, suicide or a natural death. “I wonder why the investigating agencies are quiet till now even though viscera reports come out in two months. The PM report also gives us an insight about nature of injuries and if they were sufficient enough to cause death or not,” Manan said.
Former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that the autopsy report is the most vital aspect of the investigation of a case and the findings in the post-mortem are the final word to determine whether it was case of homicide or suicide.
“It is the most conclusive evidence and the opinion of the forensic experts is the most important aspect in determining the exact cause of death. If the investigation officer is doubtful about the exact nature of death in a case suicide/homicide, he or she will approach the forensic expert for the opinion,” he said.