Mumbai to Introduce Non-Invasive Digital Post-Mortems at J.J Hospital and KEM Hospitals

Mumbai is set to introduce a modern, non-invasive method of conducting post-mortems that eliminates the need to dissect the body. The new technology is expected to be used for nearly 90 percent of post-mortem examinations at J.J. and KEM hospitals.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council that the tendering process for the project is currently underway.

The issue was raised during the Council session by members Chitra Wagh, Satej Patil, Ambadas Danve, Neelam Gorhe, Sudhakar Adbale, and Pradnya Satav, who expressed concern over delays in conducting post-mortems at hospitals across the state, including those in Mumbai.

Every year, between 8,000 and 10,000 post-mortem examinations are conducted at state-run hospitals and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-managed facilities. However, a shortage of trained personnel has led to delays, causing hardship for the families of the deceased.

Chitra Wagh urged the government to fill vacant posts at the earliest to improve the efficiency of post-mortem services.

Responding to the concerns, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that 10,905 post-mortems had been conducted across the state's 533 post-mortem centres up to the end of May.

He added that the government would review staffing levels, infrastructure, and other deficiencies at these centres and address them within a fixed timeframe.

According to the Chief Minister, 93 posts for autopsy technicians and support staff have been sanctioned at hospitals equipped with post-mortem facilities. Of these, 55 positions have been filled, while the recruitment process for the remaining vacancies is underway.

To further improve efficiency, the state plans to introduce advanced non-invasive post-mortem technology that will allow forensic examinations to be carried out without surgically opening the body.

Fadnavis also noted that forensic laboratory operations have become significantly faster over the past two to three years. Earlier, obtaining a post-mortem report could take anywhere from six months to a year, but processing times have now been considerably reduced.