On 31st May 2025, students of Bharath Institute of Law were offered an enriching and rare academic opportunity to witness medico-legal procedures up close during a specially arranged visit to the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. This hands-on exposure was coordinated by Mrs. Sophia and Mr. Yuvan Shankar, Assistant Professors at Bharath Institute of Law, under the esteemed guidance of Dr. K. Murugadoss, Dean, and Dr. S. Vijayalakshmi, Head of the Department.
Students were taken batch by batch to ensure an organized, focused, and insightful experience. The sessions enabled them to observe how medical professionals conduct post-mortem procedures and prepare reports that contribute significantly to the process of justice delivery.
The first batch of students had the unique chance to observe an autopsy involving a case of suspected electric shock. With appropriate discretion and care, medical experts explained how certain external signs and internal changes in the body help indicate such causes of death. The demonstration was delivered with clarity and respect, helping students understand how medical findings support truth-finding in the legal domain.
This visit served as an impactful academic journey, bridging the gap between legal theory and practical application. It provided students with a meaningful understanding of how medicine and law work together to uphold justice and truth.
As part of the immersive visit to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital on 31st May 2025, the second batch of students from Bharath Institute of Law had the opportunity to observe a medico-legal autopsy of a driver who had tragically lost his life in a road traffic accident.
The session offered vital insights into how such cases are examined to determine the nature and extent of injuries, establish sequence of events, and identify whether there was any negligence, foul play, or mechanical failure involved. The medical team, with due sensitivity, explained how observations such as the type of fractures, pattern of impact injuries, and other bodily findings are carefully recorded and legally documented.
This case highlighted how medico-legal autopsies play a crucial role in accident investigations, especially in determining cause of death, time of death, and contributing factors. These findings are often pivotal in legal proceedings, including compensation claims, criminal charges, and insurance disputes.
For the students, it was a compelling reminder that legal practice extends far beyond the courtroom, requiring an understanding of how real-world events are translated into evidence. Witnessing this process deepened their appreciation for the procedures that shape the pursuit of justice in accident and injury-related cases.
The third batch of students from Bharath Institute of Law had the opportunity to observe a medico-legal autopsy related to a suspected case of suicide.
Handled with the utmost discretion and sensitivity by the medical professionals, the session focused on how such cases are examined from both a medical and legal standpoint. Students were guided through how the cause of death is established, how supporting evidence is documented, and the importance of maintaining a detailed medico-legal report that can aid in further legal inquiries or judicial procedures.
This observation offered students a deeper understanding of how cases of self-harm are dealt with under the law, including issues relating to mental health, circumstantial evaluation, and the critical responsibility of legal systems in ensuring that investigations are thorough, respectful, and just.
It was an important moment for the students—not only in learning how law engages with sensitive human experiences, but also in appreciating the role of compassion and confidentiality in legal and medical practice.
As part of the continued educational exposure at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital on 31st May 2025, the fourth batch of students from Bharath Institute of Law observed a deeply sensitive and thought-provoking medico-legal autopsy involving an infant who had tragically passed away in an ambulance while en route to the hospital.
Though emotionally challenging, the session provided an important learning opportunity about how even natural or unexplained deaths in transit, especially involving infants or vulnerable individuals, are subjected to medico-legal examination. This is done to rule out any external factors, ensure there was no neglect or foul play, and confirm whether the death was due to medical complications or other causes.
The attending medical experts guided students through the steps taken during such procedures, emphasizing the importance of transparency, detailed documentation, and legal responsibility. These types of cases—especially when involving minors—require a heightened level of scrutiny to protect both public trust and familial rights.