Major Achievements & Milestones

Major Achievements & Milestones of the Department

JIPMER gained Autonomous status in 2008 under the JIPMER Act and is now under direct administration of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at JIPMER entered the current phase when the institution gained Autonomous status. Prior to 2008, the department lacked postgraduate courses and was in a rudimentary state, run mainly by General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) appointees from the Union Government. Since then, the department has been fully staffed and equipped to meet the standards of modern Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. The first team of forensic physicians, Dr. Kusa Kumar Shaha and Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra, joined the department in 2010. Over the past decade, the department has expanded significantly. Under the leadership of Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra, the department includes six faculty members, three Senior Residents, twelve Junior Residents, and other support staff. It boasts two modern autopsy and morgue facilities, offering 24x7 services to the public, law enforcement, the judiciary, and medical professionals. The department provides comprehensive Clinical Forensic Medicine, academic instruction, and autopsy pathology training to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Major Academic Achievements

  1. TEACHING:
  • Dr Kusa Kumar Shaha:
    1. A new vocational Training & Educational initiative on ‘mortuary assistant course’ was started in 2017 under the headship of Dr Kusa Kumar Shaha.
  • Dr Ambika Prasad Patra:
    1. JIPMER Telemedicine Nodal Centre Nominated Dr Ambika Prasad Patra as NMCN Instructor for Saksham by National Medical College Network of National Medical Commission - a National level teaching portal, providing free of cost online teaching modules to the medical Undergraduates. This Public Health Courses Offered by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
    2. Permitted to be the PhD Guide as per the extant JIPMER eligibility criteria for the PhD sessions from January 2026 onwards.
  1. PATENTS:
  • Dr Ambika Prasad Patra:
    1. The Innovation of Dr Ambika Prasad Patra titled "An Automated System and Method for Real-Time Determination of Death Interval" registered with Indian Patent Office [No. 202341075404/Reviewed 25/01/2025] and now applied for the International Patent registration. It’s a computer and smartphone-based application for estimating death intervals based on a project on nomogram-based thermometric techniques. Applied through institute JIPMER, Govt of India, Dhanvantari Nagar Puducherry.
  1. COPYRIGHTS:
  • Dr Ambika Prasad Patra:
    1. The Innovation of Dr Ambika Prasad Patra titled "Death Time Calculator (DTC, Version 1.0)", the literary work on a computer-based program was submitted and registered by Copyright Office of India [ No. XIV/5178/2025-CO/SW/181938 dated 14/02/2025].
  1. TEXTBOOK PUBLICATIONS
  • Dr Ambika Prasad Patra and Dr Kusa Kumar Shaha:
    1. Published textbook titled “Medical Jurisprudence & Clinical Forensic Medicine: An Indian Perspective”. Publisher: CRC Press. Boca Raton, USA. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003139126
  • Textbooks Chapter Contribution:
    1. Dr Kusa Kumar Shaha Contributed a textbook Chapter for the textbook of Forensic Psychiatry by P.C. Dixit.
    2. Dr. Siddhartha Das Contributed a textbook Chapter for Encyclopedia of Forensic Medicine.
  • Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra:
    1. Contributed a textbook Chapter titled “Modern Autopsy Techniques and Safe Morgue Practices" for the popular textbook series on Forensic Medicine & Toxicology ‘Recent Advances in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology' Volume 4 by Prof. Dr. Gautam Biswas.
  1. Dr. Vinod Ashok Chaudhari:
    • Patra AP, Chaudhari VA, Neithiya T. Crimes Involving Infants and Children. In Medical Jurisprudence & Clinical Forensic Medicine 2023. (pp. 126-137). CRC Press. DOI: 10.1201/9781003139126-14
    • Patra AP, Chaudhari VA, Neithiya T. Sexual Crimes. In Medical Jurisprudence & Clinical Forensic Medicine: An Indian Perspective. 2023. CRC Press. DOI: 10.1201/9781003139126-15
  • Monographs:
    1. Dr Ambika Prasad Patra: Published monograph titled “Thanatochemistry of Protected Body Fluids: A Promising Tool for Death Investigators”. Publisher: Eliva Press SRL: Chisinau, Moldova, Europe; 2024. Doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13622527

RESEARCH PROJECTS & PUBLICATIONS

Extramural Research Grants: ₹ 16.78 Lakhs from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a Project of Dr. Kusa Kumar Shaha & Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra.

Intramural (JIPMER) Research Grants: Multiple ongoing projects with sum total ~ ₹ 8 Lakh for the projects of Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra, Dr. Siddhartha Das, Dr. Vinod Ashok Chaudhari and Dr Naveen A.

Publications: 251+ papers in indexed journals by all faculties

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTION TO BIOMEDICAL JOURNALS

  • Dr Kusa Kumar Shaha:
    1. Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Indian Society of Toxicology (2015-2020), the official publication of Indian Society of Toxicology (Reg. 2005).
  • Dr. Siddhartha Das:
    1. Joint editor of Journal of Indian Academy Forensic Medicine
  • Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra:
    1. Editor for the Journal of Indian Society of Toxicology (2015-2020), the official publication of Indian Society of Toxicology (Reg. 2005).
    2. Guest Editor, Cureus Journal of Medical Science, Springer Nature: for articles received for the Special Collections titled Ethical and Medicolegal Frontiers in Modern Medical Practice.
  • Dr. Vinod Ashok Chaudhari:
    1. Member of National Advisory Board of –
      • Journal of Forensic Medicine Science and Law
      • Indian academy of Forensic Medicine
      • Medicolegal Association of Maharashtra
      • South India Medicolegal Association
      • Indian society of Toxicology
  • Guest Editor, Journal Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports, SAGE Publications: for articles received for the Special Collections titled Clinico-ethical Medical Case Reports.

Major Awards, Honors & Recognitions

Dr Kusa Kumar Shaha:

  • Dr Ambika Prasad Patra and Dr Kusa Kumar Shaha jointly felicitated as ‘Best Editor of Indian Toxicology Medical Journals’ by the Indian Society of Toxicology at AIMS, Cochin, on 29th December 2016, in the category of Editor for the Toxicology Journals.

Dr. Siddhartha Das:

  • Received first Prize (Oral Presentation) at ICFMTCON 2024 (Chandigarh) for "Ancillary Investigations in Electrocution Fatalities."
  • Received 2nd Prize (Oral Presentation) at Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine Conference (AIIMS Nagpur) 2023.

Dr Ambika Prasad Patra:

  • Felicitated by the Hon'ble Vice-chancellor of Pondicherry University (2024), Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu and Prof. Venkata Rao, Dean of Students Welfare Department of Pondicherry University (government of India) for periodic Awareness Programs on Substance Abuse among University Students.
  • Felicitated as best Editor by the Indian Society of Toxicology (2016) for the contributions to the field of Indian toxicology as the Editor of the Journal of Indian Society of Toxicology (2015-2020), the official publication of Indian Society of Toxicology (Reg. 2005).
  • Felicitated as the Guest of Honor by the, Dr Arvind Gupta, Director, Directorate of Distance Education, Pondicherry University, on the eve of DDE Alumni Meet – 2024 in February 2024 at the Convention-Cum-Cultural Centre of Pondicherry University.
  • Received the ‘Sentinel of Science’ Award (2016) for being among the ‘Top 10 reviewers in Medicine’ by Publons Academy (Clarivate Analytics, Web of Science), for peer review contributed to the biomedical journals.
  • Selected as a Certified Mentor for the Practical Peer Review Training Course offered by the Publons Academy, Clarivate Analytics, Web of Science meant for the peer-reviewers affiliated with the Publons Academy (2021).
  • Received a certificate of distinction (2021) as ‘Best Mentor of the Year’, rated by peer-reviewers of the Publons Academy, Clarivate Analytics, Web of Science for his mentorship contributions to the peer reviewers affiliated to the Publons academy.
  • The project of Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra and Dr. Neithiya, Junior Resident and Co-Guides Dr. Kusa Kumar Shaha, Dr. Harichandrakumar Awarded First Prize with Cash ₹ 5 Lakhs by National Forensic Science University, Govt. of India at FORENSIC HACKATHON 2023.
  • First Prize for the paper ‘Unusual Fatal Case of Oriental Rat-snake Bite with Pre-existing Cerebro-vascular Malformation’ at the 5th JIPMER Scientific Society (JSS) annual event, held on 21st November 2019.
  • Received the Second prize (senior Faculty category) for the paper “The Menace of Statutory Rape in India and Implementation of Gillick’s Competence Test: A promising solution” at PAFMATCON 2025, Annual National Conference of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, organized by the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 21, 22 March 2025.
  • Best Poster Prize (First Prize - Faculty Category) for ‘Fatal Haemorrhage from Arteriovenous Malformation of Brain Following Minor Trauma: A Case Report’ at the 25th Annual Karnataka Medico-legal Society Conference 2017, Department of Forensic Medicine, BMCRI, Bangalore, 1-3 December 2017.
  • Best Paper Award (First Prize - Faculty Category) for ‘Venom Induced Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Case Review’ at TOXOCON-12, Indian Society of Toxicology, Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim, 6-7 April 2018.
  • Best Paper Award [Jipmer Golden Jubilee (GJ-Straus) 2019-20] at the 5th JIPME Research Day for the project ‘Institute-based Cross-sectional Study to Estimate Stature Using Anthropometric Parameters of Lower Limbs of Fatal Cases from South Indian Population’ on 10th January 2020.
  • Best Paper Prize for the presentation titled ‘Medical Negligence - Current Scenario in India’ at the Annual Conference of the Scientific Society of the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, on 8th March 2022.
  • Best Paper Prize for the scientific presentation ‘Ethical and Legal Challenges if Nanotechnology Approached to Fight Against COVID-19’ at a symposium organized by the Hindustan Institute of Technology and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 27-29 January 2022.

Dr. Vinod Ashok Chaudhari:

  • First Prize for Poster Presentation for “An Unusual Case of Thinner Intoxication” in TOXOCON-9, IX Annual conference of Indian Society of Toxicology, from 21.08.2015 to 23.08.2015 at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai.
  • Second prize for faculty oral presentation on “Unusual case of ileal perforation due to assault” at XVI Annual conference of South India Medicolegal Association 2019 at Indira Gandhi Medical College & Research Centre, Puducherry.
  • Guided a research paper titled “Rare case of biliary peritonitis due to rupture of common bile duct as a result of blunt trauma abdomen” at Forensic Medicon-2020. Awarded the second prize for PG oral presentation at Forensic Medicon-2020 (Annual Conference of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine), Apollo Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad, January 30 to February 1, 2020.
  • Guided a research paper titled “Sexual dimorphism from osteometric analysis of sternum and ribs using CT scan in the South Indian Population.” at Striatum 2.0. Awarded the third prize in Mathesis UG oral presentation in Striatum 2.0 at UG international conference, IGMC, Puducherry, July 20 to July 24, 2024.
  • Guided a research paper titled “Sexual dimorphism from maxillary sinus dimensions and bizygomatic distance using CT scan in the South Indian Population.” at Illuminati 2024. Awarded the First prize in the MJAFI promising research award at the Annual UG conference conducted by AFMC, Pune, March 21 to March 23, 2024.

Dr Naveen A:

  • Received President’s Gold Medal in Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in Forensic Medicine at the 22nd Convocation of National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, 10th May 2024.
  • Awarded Second prize (Faculty category) for oral paper presentation on “A Rare Case of Lethal Lactic Acid Poisoning: An Autopsy Case Report” at the “IAMLECON 2024” - 14th International Conference of Indian Academy of Medicolegal Experts, AIIMS, Jodhpur, 28/09/2024 - 01/10/2024. Co-authored by Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra, Dr. Deepu Mathew, Dr. Keerthi Kumaran (Dept. of FMT), and Pampa Ch Toi (Dept. of Pathology).

Major Administrative and Policy Making Roles

  • Kusa Kumar Shaha:
    1. Dean, JIPMER, Karaikal
    2. Professor of Examinations
    3. Nodal Officer, NEET/INI-CET
    4. Dy. Controller of Exams; NABH Accreditation representative
    5. Chairmen, TOLIC, Pondicherry region
  • Siddhartha Das:
    1. Assistant Purchase Officer, JIPMER
  • Ambika Prasad Patra:
    1. Deputy Warden (Osler Hostel) and Anti-Ragging Committee member
    2. Expert to Ethics & Medical Registration Board of National Medical Council (NMC)
    3. Subject Expert for Forensic Nursing (National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat)
    4. Dy. Controller of Exams, JIPMER
  • Vinod Ashok Chaudhari:
    1. Deputy Warden (Harvey III Hostel) and Anti-Ragging Committee member

Major Conferences, CME & Workshops

  • Organized TOXOCON-8, 8th Annual National Conference of Indian Society of Toxicology, 9–10 August 2014.
  • Organized Forensic Medicon 2018 (IAFM-2018), 39th Annual National Conference of Indian Academy of Forensic, 1–3 February 2018.
  • Organized SIMLA-2012, 9th Annual National Conference of South India Medico-legal Association, 21–23 September 2012.
  • Organized a Hybrid National level CME on "Domestic Violence – Health Perspective and Legal Recourse", 8th April 2022.
  • National Workshop on "Forensic Update on Autopsy and Infection", 19 January 2017, under banner of Medicolegal Association of Pondicherry.
  • Organised Workshop on "Embalming and Museum Techniques", Jul 2022.
  • Organised CME on "Management of Sexual Offence Cases", Jul 2016 and July 2017, under the banner of Medicolegal Association of Pondicherry.

Major Collaborative Initiatives & Outreach Programs

  • Orientation Program on Forensic Nursing (2025): Collaboration with Nursing Faculty and Staff Nurses, pioneered by Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra, under patronage of Dr. Kumari MJ (Dean, College of Nursing) and Mrs. Uma Govindaraj (Addl Nursing Superintendent), JIPMER, for periodic training of BSc Nursing and Staff Nurses on forensic nursing practices.
  • Awareness Program on Substance Abuse among University Students (2024): Led by Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra with support from the Students Welfare Department and Pondicherry University leadership for periodic awareness programs.
  • Orientation Programs on the Examination of Clinical Forensic Medicine Cases (2024): Led by Dr. Ambika Prasad Patra in collaboration with Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics for orientation programs.
  • Forensic Ballistics Orientation Program (2024–): Collaboration with Puducherry Armory of the Puducherry Armed Police, for hands-on training of postgraduate residents.
  • Postgraduate Workshop on Plant Toxicology (2024–): Collaboration with JIPMER Horticulture Department for forensic toxicology (toxic plant identification) training.
  • Orientation Program on Handling Sexual Assault and Forensic Medicine Cases for the Puducherry Police Officers (2023–): Collaboration with Police Training Center for orientation of investigating officers.
  • Forensic Odontology Resident Training Program (2023–): Resident exchanges between JIPMER and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences for forensic odontology and dental pathology training.
Last Updated :11-Oct-2025