The definitive indefinite cause of death Case series based Evaluation and discussion of Negative and Obscure Autopsy

Abstract

Medicolegal autopsies are routinely done by forensic pathologist to fulfil the objectives of autopsy and to solve the dilemma of investigating agencies. But the medicolegal autopsy is not always concluding the main objective of it which is cause of death and such autopsies are categorised as obscure and negative autopsy. Acknowledgement of incidence of negative autopsy to the practicing forensic pathologist is necessary. We are discussing here some autopsies conducted by the author(s) after which the final scientific cause of death could not be ascertained. The algorithm-based approach toward the determination of cause of death and importance of other circumstantial evidences has been discussed.

Keywords: Negative autopsy, Cause of death, Medicolegal, Sudden death