The protocol for conducting autopsy is set for change as the West Bengal State Health Department has come up with a set of ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ (SOP) for autopsies.

Quite unusually, the procedures of performing autopsy were starkly different, till date, among different hospitals in Kolkata and that of districts. A draft set of guidelines was prepared in 2015. As per the new guidelines, the process of autopsy that has to be followed will be clearly mentioned. All hospitals – whether in the State capital or in districts – have to follow that. Additionally, the 5-page SOP lists the basic requirements for the morgues – their dimensions, internal environment, and so on.

Incidentally, for the last three months, autopsy reports in Kolkata are made available online by the Kolkata Police. An OTP is sent to the mobile number of a relative of the deceased, using which they can download it from the police’s website. Measures are being taken to launch this service across the state.