Determinations from postmortem investigations are essential in order to grant closure to families and friends of the deceased, as well as help facilitate subsequent legal proceedings. Criminal investigations, civil lawsuits, and insurance claims involving poisoning deaths often depend on accurate determination of cause and manner of death, which forensic pathologists and toxicologists can provide as valuable evidence. This knowledge becomes important to address those who need to be held responsible for their actions, prevent further occurrences that could be similar in nature, and bring justice to those affected, including their loved ones.

The analysis of the organs in victims of death caused by poison is fundamental to forensic pathology and toxicology since it helps to determine the reasons, causes, and conditions under which these deaths have occurred. Based on a detailed examination of internal organs and a toxicological test, forensic specialists can not only determine the presence of poisonous substances but also identify their nature, estimate the level and duration of toxic influence, qualify a way of poisoning death, and provide necessary evidence for legal investigation.

It is through this investigation into poisoning deaths that forensics unveils the truth about cases where vulnerable parties are preyed upon by insidious agents such as unknown toxins concealed within their environment or poisoned gifts presented to them. Forensic science plays an important role in ensuring justice is served for those affected by poisoning deaths as well as preventing future incidents from occurring again.

Though it is theoretically feasible to modify a viscera report in order to conceal the actual cause of death, such a manipulation would most probably demand substantial determination and coordination and order from the highest level of the echelons of power.

Viscera examination, also known as an autopsy or post-mortem examination, is a process in which forensic pathologists carry out detailed studies to establish what caused the death and how the person died. During this process, experts investigate all organs and tissues found in the human body, trying to identify any unnatural changes that may have resulted from diseases or injuries.

Forensic pathologists are highly qualified specialists who comply with a set of rules, regulations, and protocols to reach the highest level of accuracy and dependability in their investigations. Unfortunately, even such systems could sometimes be subject to human errors or abuse.

There are a number of reasons why it is not always possible to make an accurate determination as to the cause of death from the viscera examination report. The first is that the autopsy might be incomplete, meaning that certain organs were not completely examined or specific tests have not been done. Secondly, in the natural variability of organ appearances, identifying abnormalities can sometimes be difficult on a conclusive basis.

Thirdly, post-mortem changes such as decomposition and tissue autolysis can also obscure the condition of the organs, making them difficult to assess accurately. Fourthly, there may be sampling error in which tissue samples are taken that do not adequately represent overall organ condition or are mishandled, leading to inconclusive results.

Autopsies conducted in the standard way may not show the specific causes of death, such as poison or drug overdose, that require specialized testing. If these tests are not carried out, then the cause of death will remain unknown. Furthermore, the deceased person might have had medical issues or undiagnosed diseases without symptoms, which can make finding a cause of death difficult.

Moreover, there is always the possibility of a few cases in which an autopsy is poorly done through any ill-suited interference or corruption that could destroy the reliability of results, creating inaccuracies in the postmortem report. Generally speaking, tackling these problems needs comprehensive analysis, cooperation among specialists in the forensic field, and strict adherence to well-defined procedures aimed at better quality assessment concerning the establishment of the cause of death.

To get a results report altered, persons would have to disrupt the actual examination or forge the document themselves. This may require pressuring or paying off forensic pathologists and other authorities overseeing the inquiry, manipulating tissue samples, or disseminating false information.

One has to note that these measures may be illegal and immoral, while in case the discovery of such a secret operation may have a devastating impact on individuals engaged. Besides, there are elaborate checks and balances set up in most forensic investigations to ensure integrity, which act as barriers against such efforts at tampering.

Though a manipulation of the viscera report is not only theoretically realizable but also practical; however, it would not be an easy task to do it without being caught, and if the implicated were caught, the outcomes would have dire consequences.

Further, if the conspiracy is hatched at the highest level of the administration or state machinery to manipulate the viscera report, it will be almost impossible to get a correct picture of the cause of death and the victim and his family will remain deprived of the exact cause of death and delivery of justice. Such conspiracy may be done in cases where revelation of the exact cause of death may have social, communal or political ramifications.

Written By: Md.Imran Wahab, IPS, IGP, Provisioning, West Bengal
Email: [email protected], Ph no: 9836576565