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Narrative literature review demonstrates the essential role of anthropometric analysis and empathetic communication in deceased management, highlighting improved forensic identification.
Management of the deceased represents an essential responsibility in forensic medicine, involving medico-legal investigation, scientific identification, and compassionate interaction with bereaved families. In addition to determining the cause and manner of death, physicians must ensure dignified handling of human remains while addressing cultural and ethical considerations. This narrative literature review aimed to examine the medico-legal responsibilities of physicians in the management of deceased individuals and highlight the role of forensic identification methods, particularly anthropometric analysis and stature estimation, in strengthening medico-legal investigations. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, including publications from 2000 to 2024 addressing death certification, medico-legal autopsy, forensic anthropology, anthropometry, and doctor–family communication. The literature demonstrates that accurate death certification, medico-legal autopsy, and scientific identification techniques are essential components of modern death investigation systems. Population-specific anthropometric studies significantly improve the accuracy of stature estimation and identification of unknown remains. Integrating anthropometric research with medico-legal practice enhances the reliability of forensic identification and supports the ethical obligation to maintain the dignity of the deceased while assisting bereaved families and judicial systems.
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Monisha et al. (2026) studied this question.
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