**Question:** The prime objective of doing a medicolegal autopsy is:

A. Investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths
B. Verification of cause of death by a qualified medical practitioner
C. Determination of the time of death
D. Collection of evidence for legal proceedings

**Correct Answer:** D. Collection of evidence for legal proceedings

**Core Concept:** A medicolegal autopsy is a type of autopsy conducted for legal and forensic purposes, aimed at providing the court with accurate information for decision-making in legal matters. This includes determining the cause and manner of death, establishing the time of death, and identifying any pre-existing medical conditions that may have contributed to the death.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** In a medicolegal autopsy, the primary objective is to gather evidence that can be used in legal proceedings, such as court cases, insurance claims, or disputes involving inheritance or liability. This involves establishing the cause of death, which is the primary factor contributing to the death, and the manner of death, which describes how the death occurred (e.g., accident, suicide, homicide, natural causes). Additionally, the autopsy helps determine the time of death, which is crucial for legal investigations.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. Investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths: While this is an important aspect of autopsy, medicolegal autopsies extend beyond this, aiming to provide legal evidence for legal proceedings.

B. Verification of cause of death by a qualified medical practitioner: While the autopsy report is generally prepared by a qualified medical practitioner, the primary objective is not limited to verification but encompasses gathering evidence for legal purposes.

C. Determination of the time of death: While this is a significant aspect of an autopsy, medicolegal autopsies focus on collecting evidence for legal matters, not just estimating the time of death.

**Clinical Pearl:** Autopsies play a crucial role in forensic medicine, helping to resolve legal disputes, establish responsibility, and provide valuable information for forensic pathologists and legal professionals. The correct answer (D) highlights the focus on gathering evidence for legal proceedings, which is the primary objective of a medicolegal autopsy.