Mangaluru: The Forensic Anthropology Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore conducted the second two-day workshop on “Exhumation and Identification of Human Bones in Medico-legal Settings” on March 17 and 18.
Twelve medico-legal and dental professionals from Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra participated in this one of its kind workshop and benefited with practical hands-on experience.
Prof Dr Vina Vaswani, Director of Centre for Ethics and Professor of Forensic Medicine, welcomed the participants and the resource persons and the chief guest of the program. Prof Dr Sunitha Saldanha, Dean, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) and Chief Guest for the function lauded the initiative of the Forensic Anthropology Unit for organizing and conducting such a unique and out-of-the-box workshop.
The resource person Dr J S Sehrawat, a renowned Forensic Anthropologist from Panjab University, Chandigarh enriched all the participants with the latest forensic anthropological techniques. He shared his vast knowledge and experiences, especially focusing on the exhumation and biological profiling of the Ajnala skeletal remains case. The attendees learned the nitty-gritty of the process of the exhumations, on a step-by-step approach, using a hypothetical case scenario with standard operating procedures used, under the supervision of the internal and external experts. This included inventory procedure, which is a crucial part of the collection of evidence. The participants enthusiastically engaged in the simulated exhumation process carried out on the University campus grounds.
On the second day, the participants undertook simulation activities at the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, understood how Forensic Anthropology tools and techniques are used to establish the biological profile from skeletal remains, and presented their group activity reports to the experts, who gave suggestions and comments to improve the quality.
The Department of Forensic Medicine at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) started first PG Diploma in Forensic Anthropology and Odontology (PGDFAO) in collaboration with the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) since 2015, with more than 70 medico-legal and dental professionals trained under national and international experts. The Forensic Anthropology Unit was formally inaugurated in 2017 and is the first of its kind in India dedicated towards research, training and capacity building in forensic anthropology.
Dr B T Nandish, Controller of Examinations, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) was the guest of honour, at the concluding valedictory function. He congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the workshop. Participants shared their learning experiences.
