In a bid to modernize the post-mortem process, Maharashtra is gearing up to implement advanced technologies, including ‘non-invasive post-mortem’ (virtual autopsy) in Mumbai, as revealed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The state government has taken significant steps to ensure timely delivery of post-mortem reports, effectively reducing the backlog of pending reports over the past few years.
Highlighting the advantages of non-invasive technology, Fadnavis emphasized that it allows for body examinations without traditional dissection, saving time, reducing manpower requirements, minimizing errors, and ensuring precise detection of microscopic changes. The procurement process for the necessary equipment at Mumbai’s J J and KEM hospitals has been finalized.
Currently, Maharashtra operates 533 post-mortem centers, having conducted 10,905 autopsies until May this year. Acknowledging the workload on these centers, the chief minister has pledged a prompt review to address staff shortages, infrastructure deficiencies, and other resource constraints. Fadnavis noted the significant improvement in report delivery times, with the backlog decreasing from nearly 300,000 to 75,000 reports due to streamlined operations at forensic science laboratories.
