Workshop on Dignified Management of the Dead

17/03/2018

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, AIIMS, New Delhi organized a Workshop in association with International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), in Technology Hall, CMET on 17^th of March, 2018. The Workshop focused on concept of Dignified Management of Dead, providing comfort to grieved relatives, relevant forensic issues affecting the living etc. The aim of the Workshop was to increase awareness, knowledge, sensitization and responsiveness particularly among Forensic Medicine experts working in Delhi.

The event started with registration of delegates and the welcome address was delivered by Head of the Department, Dr Sudhir K Gupta followed by the National Anthem. In the Inauguration ceremony, the following dignitaries were on the dais and also addressed the delegates:

1. Dr Sudhir K Gupta, Prof & Head.
2. Prof Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMS.
3. Mr Jeremy England, Head of ICRC Regional Delegation, South Asia.
4. Presidential Address was delivered by Chief Guest, (Retd) IAS R K Jain, NDMA.
5. Dr BB Chaudhary, DCP, Home guards
6. Prof Adarsh Kumar.

Dr. Uwom O. Eze (Regional Forensic Coordinator, ICRC) discussed about “ICRC Humanitarian Forensic Action”. Dr Bipin B. Chaudhary, DCP, Homeguards, deliberated about “Police Perspective” towards Humanitarian Forensic Action. This was followed by High Tea, after which the Delegates were assembled into different workgroups to deliberate and discuss the Humanitarian aspects of Forensic Medicine practice for future guidelines, operational aspects and capacity building. The following were the Working Groups:

1. Group 1: Body Recovery procedures from disaster site to Forensic  Human Identification
2. Group 2: Existing Autopsy and Mortuary practices
3. Group 3: Policy, Procedures and Practice on Management of the Dead in India
4. Group 4: Coordination and Communication with other stakeholders
5. Group 5: High throughput Mortuary Management in Large Scale Disasters

This was followed by 10 min Presentation by each of the Working Groups and Compilation of recommendations by rapporteurs. The Workshop was concluded by Closing Remarks, delivered by Head of the Department, Dr Sudhir K Gupta.  The event was co-ordinated by Dr Adarsh Kumar (Prof), Dr Kulbhushan Prasad (Asst Prof), Dr Abhishek Yadav (Asst Professor), Dr Antara Deb Barma (Senior resident), Dr Arijit Dey (Senior Resident) along with the support of other resident doctors and staff of the Department. Dr Prashanth Bhagvath coordinated the event from ICRC side. The Workshop was followed by Lunch for all delegates. Altogether, about 80 delegates attended the workshop and participated actively with their inputs.