Dr. Amar Jyoti Patowary, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at NEIGRIHMS Shillong, was conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Medico-legal Experts (IAMLE).
This distinguished recognition acknowledges Dr. Patowary and his team’s contributions to the field of forensic medicine, particularly in developing the ingenious Cosmetic Autopsy Incision.
The technique addresses the challenges of autopsies where the procedure involving conventional straight line (I), Y or modified Y-shaped incisions, may conceal hidden injuries, hindering a thorough examination.
Patowary’s technique overcomes this limitation by making discreet incisions along the natural skin folds of the body, ensuring complete exposure of the surface while effectively hiding the incision marks. This approach ensures that no evidence, including subtle injuries, go unnoticed, thereby contributing significantly to the pursuit of justice in sensitive cases.
He established the Virtual Autopsy facility at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, only the second such facility in India. This cutting-edge technology allows for non-invasive post-mortem examinations that offer several advantages including reduced emotional distress for families, enhanced accuracy and detail, digital imaging and 3D reconstruction techniques which offer superior visualization and analysis of internal organs and tissues, potentially revealing details that may be missed during traditional autopsies, and improved preservation of evidence.
NEIGRIHS Director Prof (Dr) Nalin Mehta hailed his contribution to the field of Forensic Science. “This innovation represents a transformative step forward in medico-legal investigations,” he said.
He also said that the Cosmetic Autopsy Incision will ensure that no crucial evidence remains hidden and it will also pave the way for more accurate and transparent investigations, especially in sensitive cases of torture.
NEIGRIHMS Medical Superintendent Prof. C. Daniala appreciated the innovation which he stated would be very useful in sensitive medico-legal investigations.
