Waive off or conduct medicolegal autopsy in suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19 patients - A dilemma for Forensic Pathologists in an Indian scenario

Abstract

COVID -19, declared by WHO as a pandemic disease,1 is derived from SARS -corona virus-2 which originated from Wuhan, China  in the late 2019, is still peaking across the world and in India. It has been predicted that the disease is here to stay till 2021 or beyond.  The Mode of transmission, as it is understood is person to person transmission through droplets, skin contacts.2The clinical  presentation includes fever, fatigue, dry cough, myalgia, dyspnea, sore throat, rhinorrhea, gastrointestinal symptoms etc.3,4  Containment and prevention remains the best option. Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died.5 Cause of Death  is mostly due to respiratory failure, septic shock, and multi organ failure etc.6 Autopsy guidelines have been released by various  committees, however to practice those in Indian scenario may not be as easy. The article thus, may be considered as a summary and  interpretation of the standard guidelines taking into consideration of Indian scenario. Clinical history, and Histopathological  correlation aspects will be discussed.