Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

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Introduction

Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is the branch of medical science that apply medical knowledge to the administration of justice. Injustice causes great mental, social, spiritual, and physical trauma, and this branch participates in preventing and healing the trauma of grieving people. Thus, we may also say that it is involved in treatment by facilitating the administration of justice.

The department of FMT, AIIMS Patna, has been rendering its services since 2013 and the department has been progressing on the developmental path. The department faculties contributes to the department's efficient functioning and progressive development. The postgraduate course of MD (FMT) started in the department from January 2019 session ad is successfully running since then. The department started Clinical Forensic Medicine services in the year 2020 at AIIMS Patna. The CFM services include examination of survivors of sexual assault offences, medicolegal calls from the wards, providing medicolegal opinions in injury cases, age determination, poisoning cases admitted in the wards/emergency etc.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the year 2020 and the crisis arising thereby, the Institute administration conferred upon the department the responsibility of the management of each and every death case occurring due to or suspected of COVID-19 at AIIMS Patna and also the after-death management of the deceased bodies in a dignified manner thus practicing the concept of humanitarian forensics. The department was granted permission to start post-mortem examination services in year 2020-2021, and 10 (Ten) police stations in the Patna district were earmarked as its jurisdiction and it has provided uninterrupted services since then. Apart from the jurisdictional police station, in critical and complex cases, the department also receives referred cases from other parts of the State for medicolegal autopsies, skeletal and bone examinations, etc.

The department is actively involved in providing medicolegal expert opinions to the Police, Human Rights Commission, CID, CBI, etc. The department conducted the first Narcoanalysis in the State of Bihar as part of a multidisciplinary committee with the help of Anesthesia, Psychiatry, and Forensic Science Laboratory experts. The department also conducts psychological autopsy in cases referred by the investigative authorities. Disability board and other medical boards are also being assisted by the department.

The state-of-the-art autopsy block under this department is equipped with the latest types of equipment and facilities. The department has implemented a novel and innovative concept of Forensic Nursing in the Institute where the nursing officers are continuously posted in the mortuary and manage the daily affairs of the mortuary.

The department's faculties are actively involved in providing training to senior residents, postgraduate residents, MBBS students, tutors of the Institute on medicolegal aspects of clinical practices as part of their Foundation Course. The department's faculties are also actively involved in providing training to medical officers, police personnel and also participate in many National and International conferences and involved in research by doing publications in indexed journals and books.

The department has initiated the process of establishing a Forensic Histopathology Laboratory Services, Forensic Anthropology Lab and Forensic Radiology Laboratory Services (X-rays, CT Scan for Virtual Autopsy) for forensic investigations and academic research in post-mortem imaging. The department also envisages establishing an open mortuary complex in the Institute for performing autopsies on putrefied and decomposed bodies. Also, the department intends to establish a Toxicological Laboratory Services & Poison Information Centre and also working on to develop a new state-of-the-art forensic medicine museum for research, training and academic purposes. We are looking for a state-of-the-art Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department at AIIMS Patna that will serve as an example to other national and international institutions.

  1. HOD Chamber.
  2. Faculty room- 2.
  3. SR/JR/Intern room- 6.
  4. Library-cum-seminar room- 1.
  5. Demonstration room- 1.
  6. Medico-legal examination room- 1.
  7. Office room- 1.
  8. Store-cum-record room- 1.
  9. Laboratory block- 1.
  10. Mortuary block- 1.

Building for Undergraduate library, Museum and Specialised Forensic laboratory has been newly constructed.

The department is involved in multiferous activities like teaching, training and research. The faculty members of the department are providing valuable contribution as member of different institute committees and administrative as well as academic bodies. The department is providing clinical forensic medicine service, post-mortem examination service and dignified management of dead bodies of COVID-19. Apart from these activities, the department provides valuable opinion in medico-legal issues referred to it by the medical board, different investigating authorities, human-right commission and Honourable courts.

Teaching/Training
  • Teaching and training of MBBS students.
  • Training of Junior Residents non-academic.
  • Teaching and training of post graduate junior residents.
  • Lecture cum awareness programme for faculties and senior residents of the institute on medico-legal cases.
  • Training of employees of the institute and also other institutes on dignified management of COVID-19 dead bodies.
  • Medico-legal consultancy to clinicians/physicians of the institute.

SL No.Name of FacultyDesignation

The Department medicolegal work a daily 24/7every day.

  1. Clinical forensic medicine
  2. Open cavity embalming in medicolegal cases.

Research Projects (Completed):-

  1. Trends of Sex related crime against women in Patna Region with emphasis on its medicolegal aspects. Dr Rohit Raj Singh. Start date 09.11.2021.
  2. Medico-legal study of pattern of injuries in road traffic accidents and its correlation with the cause of death. Dr Nilabh Prasad Singh. Start date 01.04.2021.
  3. Comparison of Demographic Profile of COVID-19 Death in Between first and second wave of disease at AIIMS Patna. Dr Binay Kumar, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Dr Nawal Kumar Singh, Dr. Nilabh Prasad Singh, Dr. Ashok Kumar Rastogi, Dr. Nikhil Goel. Start Date:31/05/2021
  4. Importance of crime scene visit by forensic medicine expert, A survey based study. Dr Binay Kumar, Dr. Shreepriya T. Sudhakar, Dr. Nawal Kumar Singh, Dr. Nilabh Prasad Singh. Sent for IEC on 21/10/2021.
  5. Determination of finger prints patterns and its association with the blood group and Gender at AIIMS, Patna. Dr Ashok Kumar Rastogi (PI), Dr Nikhil Goel, Start date 23.09.2019, Submitted on 01/02/2022.
  6. Assessment of sexual abuse pattern and awareness among the undergraduate students at tertiary care institute AIIMS Patna (Bihar) India. Dr Ashok K Rastogi, Dr Prabhat Kumar, Dr Amit Patil, Dr Binay Kumar. Start date 06.02.2021, Submitted on 06/01/2022.
  7. Study of epiphyseal fusion of related bones around elbow and wrist joint: A cross sectional study in age group 16-20 years. Dr S Vigneshwaran. Start date 11.03.2021, Submitted on 20/07/2022.
Research Projects (Ongoing):-
  1. Understanding the clinicopathological profile of death due to fatal fungal disease by pathological autopsy at AIIMS Patna. Dr. Binay Kumar, Dr. Punam Prasad Bhadani, Dr. Tarun Kumar, Dr. Subhash Kumar, Dr. Vijay Kumar, Dr. Amit Patil, Dr. Ashok Kumar Rastogi, Dr. Nikhil Goel, Dr. Nilabh Prasad Singh. Sent for IEC on 02/07/2021.
  2. Study of different stages of epiphyseal fusion of upper end of radius and ulna and their fusion with respective metaphysis in 04-19 years- A cross sectional study at tertiary care centre in Patna, Bihar. Dr. Keshav Chandra. Start date- 05/01/2022.
  3. Forensic evaluation of Saggital suture fusion age between 3rd to 7th decade using multidetector computed tomography scan. Dr. Shashank Ranjan. Start date- 30/05/2022.
  4. Correlation of time since death by morphological changes in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the environment of Patna. Dr. Rahul Bhaira. Start Date- 14/12/2022.
  5. To Study the pattern of cardiac pathology in Sudden death (An Autopsy based study) at tertiary care hospital, AIIMS Patna (Bihar). Dr. Ashok Kumar Rastogi, Dr. Amit Patil, Dr. Binay Kumar, Dr Nawal Kumar Singh. Start Date: 19/07/2021
Publications :-
  1. Rastogi A.K., Binay Kumar, Patil Amit, Nirala Santosh, Nikhil Goel. Understanding of Undergraduate Students at All India Institute of Medical Science Regarding Child Sexual Abuse by Older Children / Abused When Alone / Abused When Outside Home. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). 2022:(11)11; 830-1.
  2. Rastogi A.K, Patil A, Binay Kumar.et al. Doctors as expert witness and its value in justice with recent amendments. - A review literature. international journal of recent scientific research. 2022: Vol. 11, Issue, 04 (F); 38345-38346,
  3. Rastogi A, Bashar M, Sheikh N. Relation of Primary Fingerprint Patterns with Gender, and Blood Group: A Dermatoglyphic Study from a Tertiary Care Institute in Eastern India. Cureus 15(5): e38459. DOI 10.7759/cureus.38459
  4. Amit Patil, Nilabh Prasad Singh, Nawal Kumar Singh. Unusual case of a survivor of a self-inflicted suicidal cut-throat injury. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Vil. 39 No.2, July-December 2022:140-143. DOI No: 10.5958/0974-4568.2022.00054.0
  5. Manjhi P, Patil A. Forensic Pharmacovigilance: An evolving subspecialty. Int J Cur Res Rev, Nov 2022, Vol 14 Issue 22; 1-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31782/IJCRR.2022.142201
  6. Patil A, Narang H, Ranjan R, Kumar P. Rare Inward Compression Fracture of Hyoid Bone In Hanging: A Case Report and Review of Literature. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2022 July-Sept 44 (3): 94-98. DOI:10.5958/0974-0848.2022.00089.6.
  7. Rastogi A, Kumar T, Patil A, et al. (January 12, 2023) Deciding the Cause of Death in a Victim of a Road Traffic Accident Became Difficult Due to Interventions: A Case Report. Cureus 15(1): e33716. DOI 10.7759/cureus.33716. [PubMed Central]
  8. Patil A, Singh N, Vigneshwaran S, et al. Sudden Death Due to Cardiac Tamponade Secondary to Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Wall Rupture. Cureus 14(10): e30288. DOI 10.7759/cureus.30288. [PubMed Central]
  9. Patil A, Singh NP. Death certification errors in medical certificates of cause of death related to COVID-19 disease. Int J Community Med Public Health 2022;9:3746-52. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222566 Kumar B, Singh NP, Singh N, et al. Importance of Crime Scene Visits by a Forensic Medicine Expert: A Survey- Based Study. Cureus 2022; 14: e26775.
  10. Kumar B, Prasad I, Priyambada P, Goel N. Child sexual abuse laws in India; Failure of Implementation – A case report. Medico-legal Journal. 2022;0(0).DOI:10.1117/258172221114991.
  11. Kumar B, Kumar A, Singh NP, et al. Modern Mortuary Complex Plan in Covid-19 Era. J Indian Acad Forensic Med 2022; 44: 78–86.[IF- 0.12]
  12. Pathak MK, Kumar B, Narang H. “Autopsy Report of Sudden Death with Findings of Polyembolokialomania- A rare psychiatric disorder” Published in:Indian Journal of Forensic medicine and Toxicology, Vol 15 issue no. 3 July-September 2021: 3579-85
  13. Sudhakar TS, Pathak MK, Narang H. Current Scenario and Proposed Solutions Amidst Covid-19 Dead Body Management. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences. 20(6)(1): p 45-8. e-ISSN 2279-0861 DOI: 10.9790/0853-2006014548
  14. Pathak MK, Narang H. Application of Artificial Intelligence in Field of Forensic Medicine. October-December 2021: Medico-legal Update. 2021: 21(4):56-65.
  15. Pathak MK, Singh R R, Narang H, Chandra K. The Necessity of the Autopsy in Clinical Diagnosis. HSOA Journal of Forensic, Legal & Investigation Sciences. 2021; 7:58; 1-5.
  16. Pathak MK, Narang H, Priyambada P. Fertility Fraud: The Emerging Corollary. International Journal of Scientific Research; January 2022:11(1): 1-2.
  17. Kumar G, Kumar A, Patil A, Kumar B, Kumar A. Evaluation of Pubic Angles of the Pelvis and its values for Gender Determination using Digital Radiographs of Indian Population of Bihar. J Punjab Acad Forensic Med Toxicol 2021;21(2) ISSN: 0972-5687 DOI:10.5958/0974-083X.2021.00056.X
  18. Patil A, Narang and Vigneshwaran S. Autopsy dissection techniques and investigations in deaths due to COVID-19 triggered fungal infections - A diagnostic review. Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine 2021;8(4):207–213. https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2021.043
  19. Kumar G, Kishore K, Kumar A, Patil A, Kumar S, Kumari M, Kumar A, Kumar R. Waive off or conduct a medicolegal autopsy in suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19 patients - A dilemma for Forensic Pathologists in an Indian scenario. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2021 Jan-Mar; 43(1): 76-81 doi:10.5958/0974-0848.2021.00019.1
  20. Patil A, Ranjan R, Kumar P, Narang H. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Post-Graduate Medical Education and Training in India: Lessons Learned and Opportunities Offered. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2021;12:809-816 https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S320524. [PubMed Indexed, IF – 1.11 cite factor]
  21. Patil A, Himanshi N, Ranjan R. “Ethical dilemmas apocalypse amidst covid19 pandemic”, 2021. International Journal of Current Research, 13, (05), 17235-17239. http://www.journalcra.com/article/ethical-dilemmas-apocalypse-amidst-covid19-pandemic 10.24941/ijcr.41284.05.2021
  22. Kumar A, Kumar K, Kumar G, Kumar N, Patil A, Kumar B, Rastogi A. “Tele-Evidence” or Traditional method of attending Court Summons: A Comparative Study. J Punjab Acad Forensic Med Toxicol 2020;20 (2). DOI:10.5958/0974-083X.2020.00109.0
  23. Shrestha R, Patil A. Dignified Management of the Dead in Disasters. J For Med Sci Law 2021; 30(1):51-53.
  24. Dr Kumar B, Dr Kumar A, Dr Singh NP, Dr Gupta RB, Dr Goel N, Singh NK.Modern mortuary complex plan in COVID- 19 era. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine (Accepted for publication).[IF- 0.12]
  25. Dr Kumar A, Dr Kumar B, Dr Patil A, Dr Rastogi AK, Dr Kumar P, Dr Kumar G. Estimation of stature from foot print: a study on medical students of Bihar. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine (Accepted for publication).[IF- 0.12]
  26. Dr Kumar G, Dr Kumar A, Dr Patil A, Dr Kumar B, Dr Rastogi AK. Evaluation of pubic angles of the pelvis and its values for gender determination using Digital Radiographs of Indian population of Bihar. Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology (Accepted for publication). [IF- 0.08]
  27. Pathak M, Kumar B, Narang H. Autopsy report of sudden death with findings of Polyembolokailomania- A rare psychiatric disorder. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. July-Sep, 2021; 15(3): 3579-85. [IF- 0.25]
  28. Kumar B, Kumar A, Kumari V, Rastogi A, Himanshi. Medico-legal institute: A need of state. Medico-legal update. July- Sep, 2021; 21(3):181-7. [IF- 0.155]
  29. Kumar B, Kumar A, Kumari V, Rastogi A, Kumar N, Himanshi. Misinterpretation of section 304A IPC vis-à-vis 304 IPC in Medical Negligence cases- Deliberate or inadvertent. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. April-June, 2021;15(2): 3970-77.[IF- 0.25]
  30. Kumar B, Kumar A, Kumari V, Rastogi AK, Himanshi. Medicolegal institute: a need of state. medicolegal update. July-sept,2021(3):181-7.
  31. Kumar B, Kumar A, Kumari V, Rastogi AK, Kumar N. Misinterpretation of section 304A IPC vis-a- vis 304 IPC in medical negligence cases- deliberate or inadvertent. Indian journal of forensic Medicine & Toxicology.april-june,2021;15(2):3970-77.
  32. Kumar A, Kumar B, Patil A, Rastogi AK. Estimation of stature from footprint: study on medical students of Bihar. Journal of Indian academy of forensic medicine (accepted for publication).
  33. Kumar G, Kumar A, Kumar B, Patil A, Rastogi AK. Evaluation of pubic angle of pelvic and its values for gender determination using digital radiographs of Indian population of Bihar. Punjab academy of forensic medicine. (Accepted for publication).
  34. Kumar B, Kumar A, Singh NP, Gupta RB, Goel N, Singh NK. Modern Mortuary Complex Plan in Covid-19 Era. (Accepted for publication in Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine on 21st March 2022.

Planning for conference at our department