After postmoem body is handed over to :
**Core Concept**
The postmortem body is handed over to the authority who conducted the inquest in the particular case, as per the legal and procedural requirements in forensic medicine. This ensures that the body remains in the custody of the investigating authority until further disposal or release is authorized. The inquest is a legal inquiry into the cause of death, and the authority conducting it has jurisdiction over the body.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The authority who conducted the inquest is responsible for ensuring that the body is handled and disposed of in accordance with the law and regulations. This includes maintaining the integrity of the body for potential future investigations or autopsies. The inquest authority may also be required to provide a report on the cause of death, which may be used in legal proceedings. In cases where the inquest authority is a police officer or a magistrate, they may be responsible for releasing the body to the family or next of kin, but only after completing the necessary formalities and investigations.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The other options are incorrect because they do not specify the authority who conducted the inquest. The police station near by (B) may be involved in the investigation, but it is not the authority who conducted the inquest. The Coroner (C) may be involved in certain cases, but the question does not specify that the inquest was conducted by a Coroner. The Chief Magistrate (D) may be involved in certain legal proceedings, but it is not the authority who conducted the inquest.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In cases where the inquest authority is a police officer, they may be required to obtain a court order or permission from the Magistrate before releasing the body to the family or next of kin. This is to ensure that the body is not tampered with or destroyed, and that the integrity of the investigation is maintained.
✓ Correct Answer: A. The authority who has conducted inquest in that particular case