Written by Dr. D. Rao

MEDICO-LEGAL  EVIDENCE

Basic Rules: For evidence to be legally accepted by the courts:

1. it must be obtained in a legal manner.
2. It must be relevant to the issue.
3. The chain of custody of the item must be intact and known
4. It must be evaluated by qualified experts.

At the Scene: The recognition, identification and protection f evidence is very important. This may require complete notes, photographs, x-rays, rubber gloves, syringes, needles, forceps, cissors, knife, and proper containers adequately labeled and identified. Plastic vials and jars are useful for small samples, e.g. hair, bullets, blood and organs. Plastic bags are useful for organs, clothing and larger articles, and to cover the hands or other parts of the body. Larger plastic containers may be used for bodies.

1. Do not alter anything of medico-legal value.
2. Examine clothing before removing from the body; then remove and preserve any loose items.
3. Do not cut, tear, or alter clothing.
4. Do not put objects through defects in clothing or wounds.
5. Allow wet clothing to dry in shade.
6. Identify and collect adequate samples.
7. Use clean containers.
8. Store and transport specimens properly.
9. Provide information and adequate instructions in regard to specimens so as to assist and direct the expert in examination a d evaluation of laboratory findings.
10. Preserve all medicinals and suspicious substances found on and about the body and at the scene.
11. Do not unite knots or cut material; make notes so that reassembly is possible.
12. Evaluate all the evidence before making conclusion.
13. Do not place more than one article in a container.
14. Photograph any ligature before removal, cut if necessary, leaving the knot or knots intact. The cut ends may be joined with string,
15. Handling of weapons may destroy fingerprints and blood stains and remove hair, fibres, and other trace evidence.
16. Leave fire arms in the condition they are found. Note position of each bullet and casing.
17. Bullets, etc, should be marked for identification.
18. The scene should be examined by fingerprint examiner followed by a trace evidence specialist.
19. Transfer the body to the mortuary preferably in a plastic bag, taking care to avoid producing artificial injuries.
20. Free hair, fibres or other foreign matter which is likely to be dislodged when the body is moved should be searched and removed with adhesive tape.
21. If there are any bite marks they should be swabbed for saliva with a cotton wool swab moisten with saline.
22. The pubic hair should be combed in cases of sexual assault, and loose hair collected.
23. In cases of rape and suspected criminal abortion, vaginal swabs should be taken. In suspected abortion an absorbent pad should be strapped over the vulva to collect any fluid which may run out during transfer of the body.

1. From body of the diseased.

The biological samples should be collected in following priority order in case of dead person.

Following types of tissue are observed to have lesser degree of decomposition.

1. Muscle tendons
2. Foot i.e. heel skin
3. Scalp skin
4. Palm skin
5. Stomach wall

1. Skeletal muscle (deep muscle) / Tissue – The concerned M. O. should collect the least decomposed portion of the tissue and it as soon as possible to avoid further decomposition.
2. Tough tissue – If the decomposition has already started collect the tougher tissue for which the decomposition rate is comparatively slow
3. Tooth – Forward all the teeth present with the body.
4. Scalp hair with roots – Forward bunch of scalp hair with roots. Pluck the scalp hair don’t cut them with scissors.
5. P. M. Blood.
6. Bones – If the skeletonisation of the deceased is complete and no tissue or other options are available, then the longer bones of the body such as Femur should be forwarded. If some dried tissue or tendons are stuck up with the bones, then do not remove it, as there are some chances to get the DNA from it.

Mode of parcel and proper preservatives for respective samples.

Sr. No.	Sample	Mode of parcel	Preservative
01	Tissue, Muscle piece scalp skin etc.	Put the sample in clean, sterile plastic or glass container add the preservative as recommended. Bring the sample in ice.	DMSO or Normal physiological saline or 4% EDTA solution or keep the tissue as it is in  –20 0 C refrigerator.
02	Blood	Clean sterile glass vial for P.M. blood. For control blood samples, tubes are supplied by FSL. Bring the samples in ice.	4 % EDTA
03	Teeth	Air dry all the teeth available, put them in dry, clean and sterile plastic or glass container and forward.	No preservative
04	Scalp hair	Air dry the sample, put in dry, clean and sterile plastic or glass container and forward.	No preservative
05	Bone	Air dry and wrap in clean brown paper. Do not macerate or treat with any chemical. If the tissue or tendon is stuck up to the bone, keep as it is, do not separate or disturb it.	No preservative
06	Blood stained clothes and scrapings	Air dry the clothes and wrap in clean brown paper. Don’t pack clothes in wet or semi wet condition. In case of blood stains on the wall, scrap with a clean new razor blade. While scraping, take the precaution that paint on the wall does not mix with the blood. Put the scrapings on clean piece of paper and prepare the packet.	No preservative
07	Semen stains	Air dry the clothes and wrap in clean brown paper. Do not pack clothes in wet condition. In case of used condom, reverse it carefully to bring its inside out, empty it’s contents on a clean dry & sterile piece of cloth. Dry the cloth and forward. Also dry the condom pack in a brown paper and forward.	No preservative