Goa Gazette, No. 2526-23, 05 September 2025

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RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410 Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2024-2026

SERIES I No. 23

Panaji, 5th September, 2025 (Bhadra 14, 1947) SUPPLEMENT

GOVERNMENT OF GOA

Goa Medical College

Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

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Notification

6/900/2025-E1/GMC/5035 Date: 01-09-2025

The proposed standard operating procedure for Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Goa Medical College, along with the proformas and appendices as approved by the Government is hereby enclosed for information of all and for its implementation.

The same is issued with the approval of the Government vide No. 5/13/2019- II/PHD/Part/1392 dated 01-07-2025.

By order and in the name of Governor of Goa.

Dr. Andre V. Fernandes, Professor & HOD Forensic Medicine & Toxicology (GMC).

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DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC MEDICNE & TOXICOLOGY GOA MEDICAL COLLEGE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

SERVICES OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC: Medicolegal work, Morgue preservation services, Cavity Embalming for autopsied bodies, Free Hearse van service (Provided through EMRI by Government of Goa)941 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (SUPPLEMENT) 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2025

DEPARTMENT WORK TIMINGS:

Routine days – 9am to 5.00pm on weekdays (Monday to Friday) & 9.00am to 1.00 pm (Saturdays) Emergency/on call duty days – 12.30 pm to 5.00pm (Saturdays)

9.00 to 5.00 pm (Sundays & Holidays)

Lunch Break – 1-2pm

Department Office is open on Routine days only

Timings for specific services are as described under

Unauthorized videography/photography is not permitted in the premises of the Department Queries regarding autopsies/any medico-legal cases performed (from the relations, etc.) may be addressed to the Investigating Officer and no information can be disclosed by this Department Unauthorized entry in the premises of the Department, except in demarcated areas, is prohibited.

MEDICO-LEGAL WORK:

Medico-legal autopsy

Routine days – All types of cases

Emergency days – Only uncomplicated cases where body is to be claimed by relations immediately after autopsy. Cases will be taken up at the discretion of the Doctor on duty Procedure:

A. Autopsy list for the day

1. The procedure of Autopsy can take anywhere between 1-3hrs or more depending on the complexity

2. An autopsy list for the day will be made by 10.00am everyday by the Head of Department (HoD)/Doctor in charge.

3. All Investigating officers (IO) are to contact the HoD/Doctor in charge by 9.30 am to obtain time slot on the autopsy list for the day.

4. In all cases where the bodies have been preserved at GMC, IO to contact HoD/Doctor in charge for time slot before 10.00am compulsorily. No slot can be allocated after 10.00am and as such the case may have to be postponed for the next day, if autopsy list is full.

5. Only direct cases (unpreserved at GMC) which are to be claimed immediately post-autopsy, will be accommodated after 10.00am subject to availability of time slot.

6. Time for submission of completed requisite paperwork for autopsy along with relations, etc. by IO – 9.00am to 3.30pm.

No papers/request for autopsy will be entertained beyond 3.30pm, in the interests of doing justice to the case.

7. Time slot will be allocated on first come first served bases in the following order of preference: CR cases/Panel autopsies > UD where body being claimed immediately post autopsy > UD in identified bodies not being claimed post autopsy > Unidentified bodies 8. Irrespective of the above, the HoD/Doctor in charge may post the autopsy for the next working day at his/her discretion if so warranted. E.g in cases like want of time/ incomplete information/ complications, etc.

9. Autopsy being a part of legal investigation procedure, no pressure/influence to undertake an autopsy contrary to above criteria will be entertained

B. Pre-requisites for autopsy

1. Form for Police Request for handing over/represervation of body for panchanamma/autopsy (Appendix 1)

2. Request letter for Autopsy (Appendix 2) duly filled (in duplicate)

3. Police/SDM inquest report to doctor duly filled (in duplicate)(Preferably type written) 4. Inquest panchanamma (in duplicate)

5. Hospital treatment records (as applicable)

6. Foreign nationals – Passport copy, authorization letter for autopsy/ handing over of body from embassy

7. Next of kin to identify the body

8. Photographer/videographer as applicable

9. Any special investigation/evidence collection kits if required e.g GSR kit, FTA card, etc 10. Embalming request/receipt of payment as applicable

C. Allocation of cases/autopsy

1. Investigating officer (not below rank of PSI for UD, ASI for 0(UD) non CR, PI for CR)/SDM as applicable should be present

2. IO to produce completed prerequisite papers for autopsy to the HoD/Doctor in charge who will then mark the case to concerned doctor with an endorsement on the request letter 3. IO to then approach the concerned doctor who will allocate autopsy number as per register & endorse the same on the request letters along with date and time of receipt of papers943 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (SUPPLEMENT) 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2025 4. IO (with relations) to be present while the body is being removed from the cabinet to ascertain the identity, and same to be endorsed on the 1st page of the autopsy report

5. IO to be present till the completion of autopsy and re-obtaining the custody of the body

D. Completion of Autopsy

1. After completion of autopsy, autopsy surgeon will issue an Autopsy completion certificate (in duplicate) (Appendix 4) and hand over custody of the body, along with any clothes/ornaments/ evidentiary material to the IO against obtaining his endorsement on the same.

2. All evidentiary material preserved at autopsy & forwarding notes, prepared and duly sealed by the technician, to be collected by IO from the Technician against endorsement in the Viscera & Material register, and transported/handed over to respective Laboratory/Department.

3. Cause of death/provisional cause of death at end of autopsy will be handed over to IO within 2 working days

4. The entire Autopsy report will be prepared within 14 working days and same may be collected by the IO from the department office/autopsy surgeon

5. Final opinion – in cases where opinion as to cause of death is reserved pending reports of investigations, on receipt of said reports, IO to submit request letter for final opinion addressed to the HoD/doctor in charge(in duplicate) to the department office, accompanied with copies of autopsy report & reports of investigations.

6. Office clerk to ascertain that the letter and attachments are in order and accept the same with endorsement on one copy which will be handed back to the police personnel

7. HoD will mark the request for final opinion to the concerned doctor

8. Concerned doctor will prepare and submit the final opinion back to the office in duplicate within 14 working days

9. IO to collect the final opinion from the office against endorsement on both the copies.

Original to IO, copy to department autopsy file.

Panel Autopsy

1. Panel autopsy if required, will be determined by the HoD/Doctor in charge

2. Grounds for Panel Autopsy & constitution

A. Panels constituted by Dean, GMC on written request from IO944 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 52 (SUPPLEMENT) 28TH MARCH, 2025 Death on OT table/post op/negligence– FMT+Pathology+Concerned speciality (non treating doctor)

Maternal death– FMT + Patho +OBG(non treating doctor)

Custodial death– FMT(Assoc Prof or above) +FMT+FMT

2nd Autopsy– FMT(Assoc Prof or above)+ FMT; in presence of Original Autopsy Surgeon

Immunisation/ADR deaths – FMT+ Pathology + Medicine/Pediatrics; Assistant professor or above

B. Panel constituted by HoD/Doctor in charge - FMT

Magistrate's inquest

Any other case at the discretion of HoD on merits/circumstances of case/as per emergent guidelines

3. Request letter to addressed to the Dean Goa Medical College / HoD Dept of Forensic Medicine(as applicable) to be submitted by IO to the concerned IO (Appendix 3)

Post organ harvesting Autopsy in MLC Brain stem dead donors

Detailed OT notes along with hospital admission/treatment papers will be prepared by the treating/ organ harvesting team of doctors, and submitted to the Investigating Officer for conduct of autopsy, which will be incorporated into the autopsy report.

Clinical Work

Department undertakes clinical medicolegal work like Age estimation, Examination of accused in Sexual Offences, Collection of blood for DNA for profiling/paternity/maternity, other Miscellaneous cases, at the request of Judiciary/ Police Investigating Officers in Criminal matters only.

1. For all clinical examinations, a request letter addressed to the HoD/Doctor in charge is to be produced in duplicate signed by the IO; which should contain all relevant details.

{(Appendix 2)– Format –Request letter for medical examination}

2. In routine hours, the request to be produced to the HoD/Doctor in charge who will mark it to the concerned doctor. In emergency/on call hours the police personnel to approach the Entry clerk/MTS who will call and inform the concerned doctor.

3. For all minors - parent/guardian to be produced for the examination (female parent/guardian in case of female minor)945 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (SUPPLEMENT) 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2025 4. Doctor will receive the request by endorsing on the same and one copy of the request will be handed back to the police personnel

5. Any evidentiary material (if) required, will be preserved, forwarding notes prepared & duly sealed by the technician and handed over to accompanying police personnel by the next working day against endorsement in the Viscera & Material register.

A. Sexual offences

1. Timings: Fresh incident(incident within past 48-96hrs)– Any time (Regular/emergency) Incident beyond 48-96 hrs – 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

2. After completion of examination, the accused/victim may be referred to other departments like blood bank/clinical examination & management with referral notes as applicable 3. Examination report along with collected evidentiary material/forwarding notes can be collected by next working day, and as such will be issued within 7 working days 4. All medico legal work with respect to female victims is undertaken by the Dept Of OBG, GMC

B. Age Estimations

1. Time: 9.00 am to 12.00 pm on Routine working days

2. After completion of examination, accused/victim will be referred for Xrays/dental examination along with referral notes as applicable

3. Police to collect the Xray films/Dental examination reports once ready from the concerned departments and produce to the doctor for framing age estimation report

4. Report can be collected from the concerned doctor/office within 7 working days

C. DNA for blood collection

1. Time: 9.00 am to 12.00 pm on routine working days

2. IO to be present for the examination

3. FTA card along with 3 recent passport size color photographs of the accused/victim to be produced

4. The duly sealed sample and forwarding notes to be collected by evening the same day

D. Miscellaneous

1. Referral for Blood grouping – Routine working days 9-5 pm; Emergency/on call days – on prior appointment with doctor in charge946 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 52 (SUPPLEMENT) 28TH MARCH, 2025 2. Accused in Homicide cases Examination– 9-5 pm all days; Emergency duty hours (5pm - 9.00 am) – on prior appointment with doctor on call duty.

Hurt certificate from treating doctor to be produced in case examination for expert opinion on injuries required

3. Accused/Victim in assault cases– For evidence collection only- 9-5 pm all days;

Emergency duty hours(5pm -9.00 am)– on prior appointment with doctor on call duty

E. Pregnancy/Delivery in Accused

1. Routine working days 9-5 pm

PRESERVATION OF BODIES

All preservation of bodies will be charged as per rates decided by GMC which will be displayed at the counter

Bodies of Indian Nationals preserved on police request/MLC Hospital cases will not be charged until in police custody

Entry clerk to ensure correct preservation/handing over of bodies by ascertaining labels/obtaining relevant signatures in Mortuary Register

On Police request

1. Preservation letter from IO not below rank of ASI with details as per attached proforma (Appendix 5)

2. Form1 – Request of body for panchanamma/Autopsy to be duly filled and handed over to the entry by the IO when taking the body for panchanamma/autopsy and signing in the relevant field in the Mortuary Register

3. If represervation of body is required after panchanamma/autopsy, same to be indicated on Form1

4. If body to be handed over to relations same to be indicated on Form 1 and IO to sign in the relevant field in the Mortuary Register

5. For bodies re-preserved after Autopsy on police request, Request for Handing Over of body (Appendix 1) along with an accompanying police personnel are required for claiming the body.

On Hospital request - MLC

1. Dead body/body part duly labeled along with Preservation letter in duplicate duly filled (Appendix 6) accompanied by MTS & relations(as applicable) to be produced to the Entry947 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (SUPPLEMENT) 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2025 2. The letters will be duly endorsed by the Entry clerk with the date &time of receipt, preservation details. Original letter – entry file, copy – returned to the MTS

3. Label with details of preservation prepared by the Entry clerk, will be pasted on the body/part & accompanying MTS along with FMT MTS will preserve the body in respective cabinet

4. MLC bodies can be handed over to relations only on police request

5. In MLC cases where requirement of Autopsy is to be waived off and body to be handed over:

a. IO to follow procedure as mentioned in Appendix 9

b. Handing over letter from the Police Inspector/ IO addressed to the HoD/Doctor in charge, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, GMC, with outward number and stamp, mentioning details of the case and particulars of the person the body to be handed over to.

c. Copy of MCCD / slip issued by the treating doctor

On Hospital request - Non MLC

1. Preservation procedure – same as for Hospital MLC bodies

2. For claiming - Relations to approach concerned ward where a handing over letter (Appendix 7) duly filled will be issued along with slip of MCCD

3. Relations to produce the handing over letter along with the MCCD slip to the Entry clerk 4. Payment to be made at applicable rates at the entry against issuing of receipt

5. Relation along with FMT MTS to ensure identity of the body and then sign on the register in the relevant field for claiming the body

6. Relation may be required to produce document of Identity

On Private request

1. Preservation request letter (Appendix 8) in duplicate to be duly filled accompanied by copy of MCCD/ note from treating doctor certifying death, to be presented to Entry 2. Entry clerk will allocate preservation details and prepare Label with relevant details which is to be pasted on the body

3. Relation with FMT MTS to ensure that body is preserved in the correct cabin and sign to that effect in the register

4. Preservation details will be endorsed on the preservation request letters, Original will be maintained in the mortuary file while copy will be handed over to relations

5. For claiming the body, this copy needs to be produced by the person whose name was indicated in the preservation letter(else an authorization letter from said person)948 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 52 (SUPPLEMENT) 28TH MARCH, 2025 6. In case MCCD was not produced at the time of preservation, a copy of the same to be produced at the time of claiming.

7. Body will not be handed over in case 5 & 6 are not fulfilled

8. Payment to be made at applicable rates at the Entry against issuing of receipt

9. Relation along with FMT MTS to ensure identity of the body and then sign on the register in the relevant field for claiming the body

10. Relation may be required to produce document of Identity

Disposal of unclaimed dead bodies

Clerk to make detailed list of MLC & Non MLC unclaimed bodies/body parts in the department morgue

MLC unclaimed bodies post autopsy

1. Letter to the Police for NOC to dispose the bodies

2. Police to give letter to municipality/panchayat for disposal

3. Municipality/panchayat staff with hearse and police to collect the body from the morgue by issuing handing over letter to the morgue

4. Identity of the body to be ascertained by the accompanying police

5. Entry Clerk & FMT MTS to handover body for disposal against endorsement in the Mortuary register from the accompanying police

Non MLC unclaimed Hospital bodies

1. Letter to the Police for NOC to dispose the bodies/ use under Anatomy Act.

2. On receipt of NOC, Clerk to obtain pre-receipt/quote for cost towards disposal from concerned municipality/panchayat

3. Said pre-receipt/quote to be handed over to Dept of Accounts, GMC

4. Dept of Accounts GMC shall transfer required funds to concerned municipality/ panchayat 5. Municipality/panchayat shall depute staff with hearse to collect the unclaimed bodies from Dept of FMT clerk/MTS

6. Clerk with MTS to ensure disposal at crematorium

Body part disposal

1. MLC - Letter to Medical Superintendent, GMC and Police to dispose the body parts Non MLC – Letter to Medical Superintendent, GMC

2. On receipt of NOC Clerk with MTS to get it disposed at the GMC incinerator949 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (SUPPLEMENT) 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2025

HEARSE VAN SERVICES

Hearse van services are provided free of cost by the government of Goa through EMRI for transport of bodies preserved (except private) at GMC to address of the family/deceased residence within the state of Goa.

For availing this service for MLC/ autopsy bodies, relations to inform Entry clerk, who will contact the Hearse van office to request for a hearse van.

Entry clerk to fill the relevant details on the form/challan produced by the Hearse van driver and endorse his/her signature with department stamp

For Non MLC bodies, relations to approach the concerned ward for availing free hearse van services

EMBALMING SERVICES

Only Cavity embalming is undertaken at the time of Autopsy against payment of charges as decided by GMC displayed at the entry

Form for Embalming of body (Appendix 8) duly filled counter signed by IO to be submitted to Entry Clerk along with payment of applicable charges against issue of receipt

This receipt to be shown by IO to Autopsy surgeon prior to commencement of autopsy, who will perform cavity embalming at the end of autopsy and issue Embalming Certificate

Embalming cannot be performed on completion of autopsy procedure

Non MLC/ Private Bodies are not embalmed by FMT. The same is done by the Dept of Anatomy, GMC which will issue the Embalming certificate

LIC/LIFE INSURANCE/ACCIDENT CLAIM FORMS

Department of FMT carries out only medico-legal autopsy work and is not involved in the treatment/admission process, and as such is not at liberty to disclose any information to any agency other than the Investigating Officer

Further all details of findings at autopsy/opinions are mentioned in the Autopsy report and no further clarifications/ additions/ endorsements can be made by FMT in view of it being a legal matter under jurisdiction of Investigating Officer

Hence no claim forms/ certificates can be issued by FMT as it contravenes the above two stipulations

Certified copies of autopsy reports can be obtained from the concerned police station and these provide all relevant information and as such are sufficient to process any Accident/life insurance claims.

PROCEDURE FOR WAIVER OF AUTOPSY IN MLCs

In cases of Hospital deaths which are registered as "Medico Legal Cases (MLCs)", it will be the discretion of the Investigating Police Officer (IO) whether to subject the dead body in the said case to Autopsy.

If the IO is satisfied under BNNS that a Medico Legal Autopsy is not required for the purpose of further investigation and finalization of the case, or that the case has been unnecessarily registered as an MLC, the following procedure is to be adopted for waiving off of the autopsy and handing over of the body to the legal claimants of the body expeditiously, in public interest:

1. The IO (PSI and above) shall obtain the written statements of at least two persons who are related to the since deceased person or otherwise have first - hand knowledge of the facts of the circumstances preceding and surrounding the death, and the IO shall duly satisfy himself / herself and come to a conclusion that prima facie there is no suspicion of "foul play" into the death of the since deceased person and that an autopsy shall not be necessary for the purpose of further investigation into the death.

2. The IO shall submit a written letter addressed to the Unit Head of the concerned treating Unit of Clinical Department in which he will explicitly state that aforementioned statements have been recorded by the IO (copy of the statements shall be enclosed) and that the IO has come to a conclusion that Prima facie there is no reason to suspect foul play into the death and that No legal action is intended to be taken against any party with regard to the death. Further, the IO shall, in the said letter, on the basis of the said conclusion, request the treating doctors to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The IO shall submit the said letter to the Resident Doctor on duty on that day in the concerned ward where the since deceased was undergoing treatment

3. On receipt of the aforementioned letter, the Resident Doctor shall, without delay, after due consultation (telephonic or in person) with his/her superiors of the said treating unit, expeditiously issue the MCCD to the police. In case of the Unit Head being non - contactable or unavailable, any other available / contactable consultant doctor from the said Unit shall issue necessary instructions to the Resident Doctor to issue the MCCD without any undue delay, in public interest

4. On receipt of the MCCD, the IO shall enclose a copy of the statements along with a copy of the MCCD, and submit a letter addressed to the Professor and Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, of Goa Medical College requesting the Department of Forensic Medicine to hand over the body to the legal claimants of the said dead body, following which the body shall be handed over.

Appendix 1– Proforma - Police request for handing over/represervation of body

Appendix 2– Format - Request letter for Autopsy/Medical Examination

Appendix 3– Format – Request letter to constitute panel for Autopsy/Medical Examination

Appendix 4– Proforma - Autopsy completion certificate

Appendix 5– Proforma - Police request for Preservation of body

Appendix 6– Proforma - Request for preservation of body – GMC

Appendix 7– Proforma - Request for handing over of body – GMC

Appendix 8– Proforma - Preservation/Embalming request of body – Private960

Appendix 9– Proforma for Memorandum of Autopsy.

Appendix 10– Proforma for Handing over viscera and material

Appendix 11– Forwarding notes for Materials

Appendix 12– Forwarding notes for Viscera

Appendix 13– Forwarding Notes to Police

Appendix 14– Viscera Label - FMT

Appendix 15– Blood Grouping Request form

Appendix 16– Blood Group report form– Blood Bank

Appendix17– Blood test lab request form976

Appendix18– Delivery Certificate

Appendix19– DNA request form

Appendix 20– Drunkenness Certificate

Appendix 21– FMT – Accused examination form

Appendix 22– FMT – Age Estimation Form – Female

Appendix 23– FMT – Age Estimation Form – Male

Appendix 24– Hurt Certificate

Appendix 25– Laboratory Alcohol Analysis Certificate

Appendix 26– Medico-legal Certificate for admitted patient

Appendix 27– Pregnancy Certificate

Appendix 28– Sexual Offences Form – Male

Appendix 29– X-ray Request Form989 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (SUPPLEMENT) 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2025 Appendix 30– Request for Histopathological Examination.

Appendix 31– Reference Form for consultation

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