No invasive techniques be adopted for autopsy of COVID-19 patients: ICMR document

Invasive techniques should not be adopted for forensic autopsy in COVID-19 death cases as doctorsand other mortuary staff are exposed to potentially dangerous health risks due to organ fluids and secretions, the ICMR has said in a draft document.

According to the final draft 'Standard Guidelines for Medico-legal autopsy in COVID-19 deaths in India' released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), deaths in hospital and under medical care due to coronavirus infection is a non-MLC case and doesn't require postmortem and the required certification of death is being done by treating doctors.

Some of the cases of suspected COVID-19 death which are brought dead to hospitals are labelled by emergency doctors as MLC and the body is sent to the mortuary and police are informed which may need postmortem examination for clarity in the cause of death.

"The forensic autopsy of these cases may be waived off," the draft guidelines said.

Some of the cases are suicide, homicide or accident and may be positive or suspected case of coronavirus infection. After the inquest procedure, if any crime is not suspected, police have the authorityto waive off conduction of medico-legal autopsy, even though labelled as medico-legal case.

"The investigating police officer must proactively take steps to waive off unnecessary autopsies during such pandemic situation," the draftdocument said.

As per the procedure of conducting forensic autopsy, the "dissection of bones and tissues will generate aerosol which may lead to spread of infection. On the basis of same along with external examination, multiple photographs and verbal autopsy (as depicted by WHO)...the post mortem should be conducted strictly avoiding any invasive surgical procedures and avoiding splashing of body fluids contact for staffs, body handlers and doctors conducting post mortem."