Myths and misconceptions about medico-legal autopsies among the people of Tamilnadu, India

• We tried to find out the reason for detestation of medicolegal autopsies in India.
• We explored the veiled views of lay person about the medicolegal autopsies.
• We found significant differences on various views about medicolegal autopsy.
• An administration should strive to rescind the misapprehensions and myths.
• Medical staff, mass & electronic media should come forward to educate lay person.

BackgroundMedico-legal autopsies are conducted as a part of necessary investigation in all unnatural deaths. In India, the awareness about medico-legal autopsies among the population is still at incipient stage. The procedure is largely stigmatised due to various myths and misconceptions. Apprehension about the procedure brings about various emotional reactions of relatives. Hence the study was carried out to know those myths and misconceptions.ObjectivesTo find out the various myths and misconceptions about the medico-legal autopsies among the people. To make a lay person aware of the importance of medico-legal autopsies.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in central part of Tamilnadu, India. About 600 participants of age 18 to 80 years were included. Their responses were obtained by semistructured questionnaires.ResultThere is a significant difference noted on various views among this population.InterpretationAdministration should strive to rescind these misapprehensions and myths. The medical staff, mass and electronic media should also come forward to educate them.ConclusionStipulation of health education about the medico-legal autopsies is must for a lay person.