by Dharma Na Gara

Criminal LawAugust 16, 20224 comments 0 Likes

Autopsy

An autopsy (examination of the corpse) is the best opportunity to obtain evidence in the investigation. This is very important as evidence in the form of expert testimony regarding the victim’s injuries, especially in cases of rape or other sex crimes.

In this case, a pathological (forensic) doctor and a toxicologist are needed. Sometimes it is also necessary to examine the victim’s cloth.

Post-mortem results sometimes produce very clear evidence to help to reconstruct the background and how was the victim’s death. According to Weston and Wells (1970: 63, 64), the results of an autopsy are often:

• Death time of the victim;
• Matters of injuries resulting in death;
• Other injuries found which are chronic diseases of the victim;
• Weapons or tools that caused death;
• Whether the body has been transferred after death;
• The amount of alcohol in the blood;
• Stomach contents/entrails, to give an indication of the time between the victim’s last meal and death and what was eaten;
• Indications of virginity, sexual knowledge, rape or pregnancy (female victims), sexual deviations (male victims);
• Evidence of blood, hair, or other signs that are not from the victim.

For more information, please consult your problem with us.

Source:

Dr. Andi Hamzah, S.H., 1986, Pengusutan Perkara Kriminal Melalui Sarana Teknik dan Sarana Hukum, Ghalia Indonesia, Jakarta.