Abstract
Introduction: Post-mortem examinations for legal purposes in Indonesia can be conducted either in general, police or othergovernment agency hospitals. Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Public Hospital (RSCM), a general hospital, providesthese forensic medicine services. The legal system in Indonesia authorises police investigators to decide the continuationof forensic examinations on suspected unnatural death cases. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine thecharacteristics of post-mortem examinations conducted in RSCM’s forensic department. Methods: This study is a descriptivecross-sectional study using secondary data from the forensic department in RSCM during January 2018 until December 2022.Result: The result of this study showed the prevalence of corpses admitted to forensic department of RSCM for postmortemexamination from January 2018 to December 2022 totalling in 4946 cases. Each case is categorised into seven differentcase status based on police information and examination results. Autopsies (n=584) were conducted in 83.14% of homicidecases, 10.75% of natural death, 2.69% of traffic accidents,8.68% of suicides, 8.10% of other accidents, 10% of intoxicationcases and 50% of unidentified cases. The continuation of each case was determined by the police investigators. Familymembers who disapprove of autopsies for various reasons would coordinate with the police. But the final decision is madeby the investigators. Discussion: The importance of autopsies was deemed necessary for criminal/suspected criminal cases.Hence, a complete post-mortem examination was mostly conducted on homicidal/suspected homicidal cases rather than innon-homicidal cases. For future development, post-mortem imaging should be considered.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | International Convention of Forensic Medicine & Science, Langkawi 2023: Towards Quality and Accountability in Forensic Practice, co-organised by Ministry of Health, Malaysia, Malaysian Society of Forensic Medicine and Science and Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah and held on 25th – 27th July 2023. Abstracts of keynote lecture, lectures and paper (oral and poster) presented are as follows: |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
