Title: DNR Odontoscripting : Psychosocial Forensic Implication
Authors: Dr Afzal Ahma, Dr Md Mojahid Anwar, Dr Asma Usmani, Hena Fatima, Prof Munawwar Husain
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i4.163
Abstract
Nowadays a raging controversy has arisen regarding “do not resuscitate” (DNR) will in unconventional methods. It has been reported that a person had brought DNR etching over his chest in the form of tattoo. One day, as luck would have been, he collapsed and was carried to ER section of the hospital. The person was unconscious and to give CPR and defibrillation his chest was laid bare. The doctor came across the DNR message over his chest and a controversy arose within the treating group of doctors. Few were in favour of giving CPR while others were against it. The protagonist accepted tattoo as a living will. Now even the courts have categorically stated that a living will in this regard should be accepted as a final say of the patient. In the present article the discussion is further carried forward emphasizing on reliability and durability of DNR bodily message.
Keywords: Odontoscript, Tattoo, Living Will, DNR Order, Post mortem Decay.